Dell 24CLNS Laptop with Wireless 2100 LAN 3A Mini PCI Adapter User Manual Molokai Manual D5813bk0 part 1
Dell Inc. Laptop with Wireless 2100 LAN 3A Mini PCI Adapter Molokai Manual D5813bk0 part 1
Dell >
Contents
Manual 1
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ Inspiron™ 700m
Owner’s Manual
Model PP07S
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the
problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the
Dell Inspiron Help
file. To access the help file, see
page 10.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating systems are not applicable.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dell TravelLite, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, TrueMobile,
DellNet, PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, PowerVault, and Axim are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered
trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, and Outlook are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; EMC is a registered
trademark of EMC Corporation; Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell Inc. under license.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.
Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model PP07S
June 2004 P/N D5813 Rev. A00
Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1 A Tour of Your Computer
Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Left Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Right Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Bottom View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2 Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Setting Up Your Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Transferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Setting Up a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Printer Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Connecting a USB Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Power Protection Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Surge Protectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Line Conditioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Uninterruptible Power Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3 Using a Battery
Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Checking the Battery Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Microsoft Windows Power Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Low-Battery Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Removing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4Contents
Installing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Storing a Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4 Installing Module Bay Devices
About the Module Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is Turned Off . . . . . 31
Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is Running . . . . . . 32
5 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Using CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Copying CDs and DVDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
How to Copy a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Helpful Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
S-Video Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
6 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Key Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
System Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Display Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Radios (Including Wireless Networking) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Speaker Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Customizing the Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Contents 5
7 Using PC Cards
PC Card Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
PC Card Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Extended PC Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Removing a PC Card or Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Installing a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
8 Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Connecting to a Network Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Network Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Determining Your Network Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP. . . . . 49
Configuring Security Settings (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9 Solving Problems
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
What Is a Driver? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Identifying Drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Using Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Creating a Restore Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State . . . . . . . . . . 64
Undoing the Last System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Reinstalling Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
6Contents
Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
CD and DVD drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray . . . . . 69
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound . . . . . . . . . . 69
Hard drive problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
IEEE 1394 Device Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Keyboard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
External Keyboard Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Unexpected Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
The computer does not start up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
The computer stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
A program stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
A program crashes repeatedly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system. . . . . 75
A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Other software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Network Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
PC Card Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Printer Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Scanner Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Sound and Speaker Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
No sound from integrated speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
No sound from external speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
No sound from headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Contents 7
Video and Display Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
If the display is blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
If the display is difficult to read. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
If only part of the display is readable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
10 Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Before Working Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Hard Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Mini PCI Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
11 Appendix
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Using the System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Viewing the System Setup Screens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
System Setup Screens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Commonly Used Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals . . . . . . . . 109
Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals . . . . . . . . . 109
Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
8Contents
Finding Information 9
Finding Information
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• How to access tutorials and other how to information
• How to get a copy of my invoice
• How to extend my warranty
• How to access Dell Support on my Microsoft
®
Windows
®
desktop (U.S. only)
• Additional documentation, tools, troubleshooting
information, and links to online support resources
Dell Solution Center
On your Windows desktop
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD)
Drivers are already installed on your computer. You can
use the CD to reinstall drivers (see page 61), run the Dell
Diagnostics (see page 57), or access your documentation.
Keep this CD in a safe place for future use.
Readme files may be
included on your CD to
provide last-minute
updates about technical
changes to your
computer or advanced
technical-reference
material for technicians
or experienced users.
NOTE: The latest drivers and documentation updates can
be found at support.dell.com.
• How to set up a printer
• Additional information about setting up my computer
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
• How to remove and install parts
• Technical specifications
• How to contact Dell
Inspiron Owner’s Manual
NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at
support.dell.com.
10 Finding Information
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• Warranty information
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• How to set up my computer
Setup Diagram
• Tips on using Microsoft
®
Windows
®
• How to play CDs and DVDs
• How to use standby mode and hibernate mode
• How to change my display resolution
• How to clean my computer
Dell Inspiron Help file
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Click
User and system guides
and click
User’s guides
.
3
Click
Dell Inspiron Help
.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
Finding Information 11
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
These labels are located on the bottom of your computer.
•Use the Service Tag to
identify your computer
when you use
support.dell.com
or
contact technical
support.
• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when
contacting technical support. The Express Service Code
is not available in all countries.
• Latest drivers for my computer
• Answers to technical service and support questions
• Online discussions with other users and technical
support
• Documentation for my computer
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support
site.
The Dell Support website provides several online tools,
including:
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles
from technicians, and online courses
• Community — Online discussion with other Dell
customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such
as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system
• Customer Care — Contact information, order status,
warranty, and repair information
• Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates
• Reference — Computer documentation, product
specifications, and white papers
• How to use Windows XP
• Documentation for my computer
• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)
Windows Help and Support Center
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and
click the arrow icon.
3
Click the topic that describes your problem.
4
Follow the instructions on the screen.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
12 Finding Information
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• How to reinstall my operating system
Operating System CD
The operating system is already installed on your
computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the
Operating System CD. See "Reinstalling Windows XP" on
page 65. Keep this CD in a safe place for future use.
After you reinstall your
operating system, use the
Drivers and Utilities CD
to reinstall drivers for the
devices that came with
your computer.
Your operating system
product key label is
located on your
computer.
NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating
system you ordered.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
A Tour of Your Computer 13
A Tour of Your Computer
Front View
DISPLAY LATCH RELEASE —Slide this display latch to release and open the display.
DISPLAY —For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" in the Dell Inspiron Help
file.
To access help, see page 10.
SPEAKERS —To adjust the volume of the integrated speakers press the volume control keyboard
shortcuts. For more information, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad" on page 39.
POWER BUTTON —Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power
management mode.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, shut down your computer instead of pressing the power button.
14 A Tour of Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
AUDIO CONNECTORS.—Connect headphones and microphone.
IEEE 1394 CONNECTOR —Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as
some digital video cameras.
TOUCH PAD —Touch pad and touch pad buttons provide the functionality of a mouse. See "Using the
Keyboard and Touch Pad" on page 39 for more information.
KEYBOARD —The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key. For
information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad" on page 39.
Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.
Attach a microphone to the connector.
A Tour of Your Computer 15
DEVICE AND KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS
NOTE: Device status lights are also visible when the display is closed.
Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To enable or disable wireless
networking, press <Fn><F2>.
Turns on when you turn on the computer. Turns on steadily or blinks when
the computer is in a power management mode.
Indicates battery charge status.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates
as follows:
– Solid green: The battery is charging.
If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows:
– Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off).
– Flashing green: The battery charge is low.
Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.
NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the
light is flashing.
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
16 A Tour of Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Left Side View
SECURITY CABLE SLOT —Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. For
more information, see the instructions included with the device.
Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.
EXHAUST VENT —The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents
the computer from overheating.
NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not
indicate a problem with the fans or the computer.
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.
A Tour of Your Computer 17
VIDEO CONNECTOR
USB 2.0 CONNECTOR
PC CARD SLOT —Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter. The computer ships with
a plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see "Using PC Cards" on page 43.
SECURE DIGITAL MEMORY CARD SLOT
Connects an external monitor. For more information, see
"Using the Display" in the
Dell
Inspiron Help
file. To access
help, see page 10.
Connects USB 2.0 compliant devices, such as a mouse,
keyboard, or printer.
The Secure Digital memory card slot supports one Secure
Digital memory card. Use Secure Digital memory cards to
save or back up data.
18 A Tour of Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Right Side View
MODULE BAY —You can install devices such as an optical drive or Dell TravelLite™ module in the module
bay. For more information, see "Installing Module Bay Devices" on page 31.
MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)
NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. To avoid damaging the
computer, do not plug a telephone line in to the network connector.
AC ADAPTER CONNECTOR —Connects the AC adapter so that you can run the computer on AC power
instead of battery power.
Connects the telephone line to the modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online modem
documentation supplied with your computer.
Connects the computer to a network. The green and yellow
lights next to the connector indicate activity for both wired
and wireless network communications.
For information on using the network adapter, see the
online network-adapter documentation supplied with your
computer.
A Tour of Your Computer 19
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.
NOTICE: Ensure that the AC adapter cable is not in the path of chairs or other objects that could crush it.
S-VIDEO TV-OUT CONNECTOR
Connects your computer to a TV. For more information,
see "Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device"
on page 35.
20 A Tour of Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Bottom View
MODULE BAY —You can install devices such as an optical drive in the module bay. For more information,
see "Installing Module Bay Devices" on page 31.
MODULE BAY LATCH RELEASE —Releases a device. See "Installing Module Bay Devices" on page 31 for
instructions.
HARD DRIVE —
Stores software and data.
BATTERY LATCH RELEASE —Releases a device. See "Using a Battery" on page 27 for instructions.
BATTERY/BATTERY BAY —When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the
computer to an electrical outlet. See "Using a Battery" on page 27.
AIR VENT —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.
MEMORY MODULE COVER —Covers the compartment that contains the memory module. See "Memory"
on page 87.
MINI PCI CARD AND MODEM COVER —Covers the compartment that contains the Mini PCI card and
modem. See "Mini PCI Card" on page 91 and "Modem" on page 89.
Setting Up Your Computer 21
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.
To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service
provider (ISP), such as AOL or MSN. Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet
connection options:
• Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up
connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable modem connections.
• DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone
line. With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same
line simultaneously.
• Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local cable
TV line.
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your
computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are
using a DSL or cable modem connection, contact your ISP for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an AOL or MSN connection:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Double-click the
MSN Explorer
or
AOL
icon on the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
desktop.
3
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
If you do not have an
MSN Explorer
or
AOL
icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an
Internet connection with a different ISP:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Click the
Start
button and click
Internet Explorer
.
The
New Connection Wizard
appears.
3
Click
Connect to the Internet
.
22 Setting Up Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
4
In the next window, click the appropriate option:
• If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click
Choose from a list of Internet
service providers (ISPs)
.
• If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a
setup CD, click
Set up my connection manually
.
• If you have a CD, click
Use the CD I got from an ISP
.
5
Click
Next
.
If you selected
Set up my connection manually
, continue to step 6. Otherwise, follow the
instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP.
6
Click the appropriate option under
How do you want to connect to the Internet?
, and then
click
Next
.
7
Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet
Problems" on page 70. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the
past, the ISP might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try
connecting again later.
Transferring Information to a New Computer
The Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer wizard to
move data from the source computer to the new computer. You can move data such as:
• E-mails
• Toolbar settings
• Window sizes
• Internet bookmarks
You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store
it on a removable medium, such as a writable CD or floppy disk.
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
→
Accessories
→
System Tools
, and then click
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
.
2
When the
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
welcome screen appears, click
Next
.
3
On the
Which computer is this?
screen, click
New Computer
and click
Next
.
4
On the
Do you have a Windows XP CD?
screen, click
I will use the wizard from the
Windows XP CD
and click
Next
.
Setting Up Your Computer 23
5
When the
Now go to your old computer
screen appears, go to your old or source computer.
Do not
click
Next
at this time.
To copy data from the old computer:
1
On the old computer, insert the Windows XP
Operating System
CD.
2
On the
Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP
screen, click
Perform additional tasks
.
3
Under
What do you want to do?
, click
Transfer files and settings
.
4
On the
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
welcome screen, click
Next
.
5
On the
Which computer is this?
screen, click
Old Computer
and click
Next
.
6
On the
Select a transfer method
screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
7
On the
What do you want to transfer?
screen, select the items you want to transfer and click
Next
.
After the information has been copied, the
Completing the Collection Phase
screen appears.
8
Click
Finish
.
To transfer data to the new computer:
1
On the
Now go to your old computer
screen on the new computer, click
Next
.
2
On the
Where are the files and settings?
screen, select the method you chose for transferring
your settings and files and click
Next
.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the
Finished
screen appears.
3
Click
Finished
and restart the new computer.
Setting Up a Printer
NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer.
See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to:
• Obtain and install updated drivers.
• Connect the printer to the computer.
• Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge.
• Contact the printer manufacturer for technical assistance.
Printer Cable
Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it
is compatible with your printer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased
your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer box.
24 Setting Up Your Computer
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Connecting a USB Printer
NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.
1
Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so.
2
Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer.
3
Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer. The
USB connectors fit only one way.
Power Protection Devices
Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures:
• Surge protectors
• Line conditioners
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help to prevent damage to your
computer from voltage spikes that can occur during electrical storms or following power
interruptions. The level of protection is usually commensurate with the cost of the surge protector.
Some surge protector manufacturers include warranty coverage for certain types of damage.
Setting Up Your Computer 25
Carefully read the device warranty when choosing a surge protector. A device with a higher joule
rating offers more protection. Compare joule ratings to determine the relative effectiveness of
different devices.
NOTICE: Most surge protectors do not protect against power fluctuations or power interruptions
caused by nearby lightning strikes. When lightning occurs in your area, disconnect the telephone line
from the telephone wall jack and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.
Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. See the surge protector
documentation for modem connection instructions.
NOTICE: Not all surge protectors offer network adapter protection. Disconnect the network cable from
the network wall jack during electrical storms.
Line Conditioners
NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions.
Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in data loss or file damage.
NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to a UPS. Connect other
devices, such as a printer, to a separate power strip that provides surge protection.
A UPS protects against power fluctuations and interruptions. UPS devices contain a battery that
provides temporary power to connected devices when AC power is interrupted. The battery charges
while AC power is available. See the UPS manufacturer documentation for information on battery
operating time and to ensure that the device is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
26 Setting Up Your Computer
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Using a Battery 27
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: Batteries for portable computers are covered only during the initial 1-year period of the limited
warranty for your computer. For more information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the
Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer.
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell™
portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. Use a battery to run the computer
when it is not connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in
the battery bay.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. Operating time is significantly
reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the following:
• Using DVD, DVD-R, and CD-RW drives
• Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, or USB devices
• Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs
such as 3D games
• Running the computer in maximum performance mode (see "Power Management" in the
Dell
Inspiron Help
file.)
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD
or DVD.
You can set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low.
CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the
battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The lithium-ion battery is designed to work
with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.
CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a
charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion
battery. See "Battery Disposal" in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture,
incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures above 65°C (149°F). Keep the battery
away from children. Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may
leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage.
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Checking the Battery Charge
The Microsoft
®
Windows
®
Power Meter
window and icon and the low-battery warning
provide information on the battery charge.
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter,
double-click the icon on the taskbar. For more information about the
Power Meter
tab, see
"Power Management" in the
Dell Inspiron Help
file. To access help, see page 10.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.
Low-Battery Warning
NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning.
Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate
mode begins automatically.
A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. For
more information about low-battery alarms, see "Power Management" in the
Dell Inspiron Help
file.
To access help, see page 10.
Charging the Battery
When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is
connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge and temperature. If
necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.
If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, the battery
may not charge when you connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see "Power Problems" on page 77.
Using a Battery 29
Removing a Battery
CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.
1
Ensure that the computer is turned off, set to the hibernate power management mode, or
connected to an electrical outlet.
2
Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove
the battery from the bay.
Installing a Battery
Slide the battery into the bay until the latch release clicks.
Storing a Battery
Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery
discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully before
you use it.
shown with optional 8-cell battery
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Installing Module Bay Devices 31
Installing Module Bay Devices
About the Module Bay
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
located in the Product Information Guide.
You can install devices such as a DVD drive, CD-RW/DVD drive, or DVD+RW in the module bay.
Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is
Turned Off
NOTICE: To prevent damage to devices, store them in a safe, dry place when they are not installed in the
computer. Avoid pressing down on them or placing heavy objects on top of them.
1
Slide and hold the device latch release.
2
Pull the device out of the module bay.
3
Push the new device into the bay until it clicks.
32 Installing Module Bay Devices
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Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is
Running
1
Before ejecting the device, double-click the
Safely Remove Hardware
icon on the taskbar,
click the device you want to eject, and click
Stop
.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to devices, store them in a safe, dry place when they are not installed in the
computer. Avoid pressing down on them or placing heavy objects on top of them.
2
Slide and hold the device latch release.
3
Pull the device out of the module bay.
4
Push the new device into the bay until it clicks.
The operating system automatically recognizes the device.
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 33
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Using CDs and DVDs
For information about using CDs and DVDs in your computer, see the Dell™ Inspiron™ Help
file. To access the help file, see page 10.
Copying CDs and DVDs
NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs or DVDs.
This section applies only to computers that have a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, or
DVD/CD-RW combo drive.
The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD. You can also use
Sonic RecordNow for other purposes, including creating CDs from audio files on your computer
and creating MP3 CDs. For instructions, see the Sonic RecordNow documentation that came with
your computer. Open Sonic RecordNow, click the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of
the window, and then click
RecordNow Help
or
RecordNow Tutorial
.
How to Copy a CD or DVD
NOTE: If you have a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and you experience recording problems, check for
available software patches at the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com.
Currently, five DVD-writable disc formats are available: DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW,
and DVD-RAM. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to DVD+R and
DVD+RW media, and can read DVD-R and DVD-RW media. However, DVD-writable drives do
not write to and might not read DVD-RAM media. In addition, commercially available DVD
players for home theater systems might not read all five formats.
NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Sonic
RecordNow.
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
→
Sonic
→
RecordNow!
, and then click
RecordNow!
2
Click either the audio tab or the data tab, depending on the kind of CD or DVD you want to
copy.
3
Click
Exact Copy
.
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4
To copy the CD or DVD:
•
If you have one CD or DVD drive
, ensure that the settings are correct and click
Copy
. The
computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies it to a temporary folder on your
computer hard drive.
When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and click
OK
.
•
If you have two CD or DVD drives
, select the drive into which you have inserted your
source CD or DVD and click
Copy
. The computer copies the data on the CD or DVD to
the blank CD or DVD.
Once you have finished copying the source CD or DVD, the CD or DVD that you have
created automatically ejects.
Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs
Your CD-RW drive can write to two different types of recording media—CD-Rs and CD-RWs
(including high-speed CD-RWs). Use blank CD-Rs to record music or permanently store data files.
After creating a CD-R, you cannot write to that CD-R again without changing your method of
recording (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to
CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.
Your DVD-writable drive can write to four different types of recording media—CD-Rs, CD-RWs
(including high-speed CD-RWs), DVD+Rs, and DVD+RWs. Blank DVD+Rs can be used to
permanently store large amounts of information. After you create a DVD+R disc, you may not be
able to write to that disc again if the disc is "finalized" or "closed" during the final stage of the disc
creation process. Use blank DVD+RWs if you plan to erase, rewrite, or update information on that
disc later.
Helpful Tips
• Use Microsoft
®
Windows
®
Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after
you start Sonic RecordNow and open a RecordNow project.
• You must use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos.
CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos.
• You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic RecordNow.
• Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software
installed.
• Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a
650-MB file to a 650-MB blank CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1 or 2 MB of the blank CD to
finalize the recording.
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 35
• Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording
techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You
can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project
permanently to a blank CD-R.
• See the Sonic support website at
support.sonic.com
for additional information.
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
NOTE: Video and audio cables for connecting your computer to a TV or other audio device are not
included with your computer. Cables may be purchased at most consumer electronics stores.
You can use a commercially available S-video cable to connect your computer to the S-video input
on your TV. The audio connector on the front of the computer enables you to connect the
computer to your TV or audio device, using a commercially available audio cable.
NOTE: See the diagrams at the beginning of each subsection to help you determine which method of
connection you should use.
When you finish connecting the video and audio cables between your computer and your TV, you
must enable your computer to work with the TV. See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on
page 36 to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.
S-Video Connection
1
Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to connect.
2
Plug one end of the S-video cable in to the S-video TV-out connector on the computer.
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3
Plug the other end of the S-video cable in to the S-video input connector on your TV.
4
Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable in to the headphone connector on your
computer.
5
Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable in to the audio input
connectors on your TV or other audio device.
6
Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on
the computer.
7
See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 36 to ensure that the computer
recognizes and works properly with the TV.
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
Integrated Video Controller
NOTE: Ensure that you properly connect the TV before you enable the display settings.
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Click
Appearances and Themes
.
3
Under
or pick a Control Panel icon
, click
Display
.
4
Click the
Settings
tab and click
Advanced
.
5
Click the
Intel (R) Extreme Graphics
tab.
6
Click
Graphic Properties
.
7
If you want to use only a TV without using the computer display or any other display options:
a
In the new window, click
TV
so that a red check mark appears directly on top of the TV
icon.
b
Ensure that the settings are correct.
8
If you want to use a TV and the computer display at the same time:
a
In the new window, click
Intel (R) Dual Display Clone
and ensure that one of the
devices listed is a TV.
b
Click
Device Settings
.
c
In the new window, ensure that the display resolution settings are correct.
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 37
9
Click
Apply
to view the new settings.
10
Click
OK
to confirm the settings change.
11
Click
Yes
to keep the new settings.
12
Click
OK
.
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Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 39
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad
The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external keyboard. Each key on the
keypad has multiple functions. The keypad numbers and symbols are marked in blue on the right of
the keypad keys. To type a number or symbol, hold down <Fn> and press the desired key.
• To enable the keypad, press <Num Lk>. The light indicates that the keypad is active.
• To disable the keypad, press <Num Lk> again.
40 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
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Key Combinations
System Functions
Display Functions
Radios (Including Wireless Networking)
Power Management
Speaker Functions
<Ctrl><Shift><Esc> Opens the Task Manager window.
<Fn><F3> Enables and disables the numeric keypad.
<Fn><F4> Enables and disables the scroll lock.
<Fn><F8> Switches the video image to the next display option. The
options include the integrated display, an external
monitor, and both displays simultaneously.
<Fn> and up-arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only (not
on an external monitor).
<Fn> and down-arrow
key
Decreases brightness on the integrated display only (not
on an external monitor).
<Fn><F2> Enables and disables radios including wireless
networking.
<Fn><Esc> Activates a power management mode. You can
reprogram this keyboard shortcut to activate a different
power management mode using the Advanced tab in the
Power Options Properties window. See "Power
Management" in the Dell Inspiron Help file.
To access
help, see page 10.
<Fn><F5> Enables and disables the integrated speakers and external
speakers (mute function), if attached.
<Fn><F6> Decreases the volume of the integrated speakers and
external speakers, if attached.
<Fn><F7> Increases the volume of the integrated speakers and
external speakers, if attached.
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 41
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions
To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate, open the Control Panel, click
Printers and Other Hardware
, and click
Keyboard
.
Touch Pad
The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you to move the cursor
on the display. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse.
• To move the cursor, lightly slide your finger over the touch pad.
• To select an object, lightly tap once on the surface of the touch pad or use your thumb to
press the left touch-pad button.
Windows logo key and
<m>
Minimizes all open windows.
Windows logo key and
<Shift><m>
Maximizes all windows.
Windows logo key and <e> Runs Windows Explorer.
Windows logo key and <r> Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key and <f> Opens the Search Results dialog box.
Windows logo key and
<Ctrl><f>
Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box (if
the computer is connected to a network).
Windows logo key and
<Pause>
Opens the System Properties dialog box.
42 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
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• To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object and tap down-up-
down on the touch pad. On the second down motion, leave your finger on the touch pad and
move the selected object by sliding your finger over the surface.
• To double-click an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad or
use your thumb to press the left touch-pad button twice.
Customizing the Touch Pad
You can use the
Mouse Properties
window to disable the touch pad or adjust its settings.
1
Open the Control Panel, click
Printers and Other Hardware
, and then click
Mouse
.
2
In the
Mouse Properties
window:
• Click the
Device Select
tab to disable the touch pad.
• Click the
Pointer
tab to adjust touch pad settings.
3
Click
OK
to save the settings and close the window.
Using PC Cards 43
Using PC Cards
PC Card Types
See "Specifications" on page 101 for information on supported PC Cards.
NOTE: A PC Card is not a bootable device.
The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II card.
The PC Card slot supports CardBus technology and extended PC Cards. "Type" of card refers to its
thickness, not its functionality.
PC Card Blanks
Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the PC Card slot. Blanks protect unused
slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no PC Card is installed in the slot;
blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
To remove the blank, see "Removing a PC Card or Blank" on page 43.
Extended PC Cards
An extended PC Card (for example, a wireless network adapter) is longer than a standard PC Card
and extends outside the computer. Follow these precautions when using extended PC Cards:
• Protect the exposed end of an installed card. Striking the end of the card can damage the
system board.
• Always remove an extended PC Card before you pack the computer in its carrying case.
Removing a PC Card or Blank
NOTICE: Use the PC Card configuration utility (click the icon in the taskbar) to select a card and
stop it from functioning before you remove it from the computer. If you do not stop the card in the
configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not attempt to eject a card by pulling its cable, if one is
attached.
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CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
located in the Product Information Guide.
1
Press in on the latch.
For some latches, you must press the latch twice: once to pop the latch out, and then a second
time to pop the card out.
2
Remove the card or blank.
3
Save a blank to use when no PC Card is installed in a slot. Blanks protect unused slots from
dust and other particles.
Using PC Cards 45
Installing a PC Card
You can install a PC Card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer
automatically detects the card.
PC Cards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) to indicate which end
to insert into the slot. The cards are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion. If card orientation is not
clear, see the documentation that came with the card.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
located in the Product Information Guide.
To install a PC Card:
1
Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the top side of the card
facing up. The latch may need to be in the "in" position before you insert the card.
2
Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its connector.
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and
try again.
.
The computer recognizes most PC Cards and automatically loads the appropriate device driver. If
the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer's drivers, use the floppy disk or CD
that came with the PC Card.
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Setting Up a Home and Office Network 47
Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Connecting to a Network Adapter
Before you connect your computer to a network, the computer must have a network adapter
installed and a network cable connected to it.
To connect a network cable:
1
Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer.
NOTE: Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure.
2
Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device, such as a
network wall jack.
NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall jack.
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Network Setup Wizard
The Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you
through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a
home or small office.
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
→
Accessories
→
Communications
, and then
click
Network Setup Wizard
.
2
On the welcome screen, click
Next
.
3
Click
Checklist for creating a network
.
NOTE: Selecting the connection method labeled "This computer connects directly to the Internet"
enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP.
4
Complete the checklist and required preparations.
5
Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
NOTE: These networking instructions do not apply to cards with Bluetooth® wireless technology or
cellular products.
Determining Your Network Type
NOTE: Most wireless networks are of the infrastructure type.
Wireless networks fall into three categories—infrastructure networks, ad-hoc networks, and home
networks. An infrastructure network uses routers or access points to connect several computers. An
ad-hoc network does not use routers or access points and consists of computers that broadcast to
one another. A home network typically employs high-speed Internet access such as DSL or cable,
and an access point or router. For more information on the type of network you have, go to
support.dell.com
and search for Knowledge Base articles on wireless networking.
Setting Up a Home and Office Network 49
Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP
Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers in order to connect to a network.
The software is already installed. If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions
included in the user's guide for your wireless network card. The
user’s guide is located on your
Drivers and Utilities
CD (that came with your computer) in the "User’s Guides-Network User’s
Guides" category. The user’s guide is also available on the Dell Support website at
support.dell.com
.
1
Click the
Start
button, click
Control Panel
, and then click
Switch to Classic View
.
2
Double-click
Network Connections
.
3
Click
Wireless Network Connection
.
The
Wireless Network Connection
icon is highlighted.
4
Under
Network Tasks
in the left-hand pane, click
Change settings of this connection
.
The
Wireless Network Connection Properties
window appears.
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5
Click the
Wireless Networks
tab.
NOTE: The names of wireless networks that your computer can detect are listed under Available
Networks.
Setting Up a Home and Office Network 51
6
Click
Add
.
The
Wireless network properties
window appears.
NOTE: If you are using a WPA-protected network, and the Association tab does not give you the option
to select WPA, download the WPA wireless security update from the Microsoft support site.
7
Enter the name of your network in the
Network name (SSID)
field.
8
If you do not need to configure security settings
, go to step 9.
If you choose to configure security settings (optional)
, go to "Configuring Security Settings
(Optional)" on page 52.
9
Click
OK
.
Your new network name appears in the
Preferred networks
field, and your network setup is
complete.
52 Setting Up a Home and Office Network
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Configuring Security Settings (Optional)
Choose one of the following connection options based on the security settings for your network:
• Connecting to a Network with Wired Equivalent Protocol (WEP) Security Requirements
• Connecting to a Network with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Security Requirements
NOTE: Network security settings are unique to your network. Dell cannot provide this information.
Connecting to a Network With Wired Equivalent Protocol (WEP) Security Requirements
1
In the
Preferred networks
field, click the name of your wireless network.
2
Click
Properties
.
3
From the
Network Authentication
drop-down menu, select
Open
.
Earlier versions of Dell wireless network software may not contain the drop-down menu. If
you are using an earlier version, click to check the
Data encryption (WEP enabled)
check box
and go to step 5.
Setting Up a Home and Office Network 53
4
From the
Data encryption
drop-down menu, select
WEP
.
5
If the wireless network does not require a network key, such as a password, go to step 9.
6
Click to uncheck the
The key is provided for me automatically
check box.
7
Enter the WEP network key in the
Network key
field.
8
Enter the WEP network key again in the
Confirm network key
field.
NOTE: Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network.
9
Click
OK
.
Your network setup is complete.
Connecting to a Network With Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Security Requirements
The following instructions are basic steps for connecting to a WPA network. If your network
requires a user name, password, or domain settings, consult the setup instructions in the user’s
guide for your wireless network card.
54 Setting Up a Home and Office Network
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NOTE: WPA protocols require that you know the network authentication and data encryption settings
for your wireless network. In addition, your WPA-protected network may require special settings such as
a network key, user name, password, and domain name.
1
In the
Preferred networks
field, click the name of your wireless network.
2
Click
Properties
.
3
From the
Network Authentication
drop-down menu, select your network authentication
type.
If you are using a WPA-protected network, and the
Association
tab does not give you the
option to select WPA, download the WPA wireless security update from the Microsoft
support site.
Setting Up a Home and Office Network 55
4
From the
Data encryption
drop-down menu, select your data encryption type.
5
If your wireless network requires a key, enter it in the
Network key
field.
NOTE: Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network.
6
Click
OK
.
Your network setup is complete.
56 Setting Up a Home and Office Network
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Solving Problems 57
Solving Problems
Dell Diagnostics
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
located in the Product Information Guide.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in this section and run the
Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the
Drivers and Utilities
CD (also
known as the ResourceCD).
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.
NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell (see page 109).
1
Shut down the computer (see page 85).
2
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
3
Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you cannot see anything on your display, hold down the <Fn> key and press the computer’s
power button to begin the Dell Diagnostics. The computer automatically runs the Pre-boot System
Assessment.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell
Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities CD.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Microsoft
®
Windows
®
desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 85) and try again.
58 Solving Problems
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4
When the boot device list appears, highlight
Diagnostics
and press <Enter>.
The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment, a series of initial tests of your system
board, keyboard, hard drive, and display.
• During the assessment, answer any questions that appear.
• If a failure is detected, the computer stops and beeps. To stop the assessment and restart
the computer, press <n>; to continue to the next test, press <y>; to retest the
component that failed, press <r>.
• If failures are detected during the Pre-boot System Assessment, write down the error
code(s) and contact Dell (see page 109) before continuing on to the Dell Diagnostics.
If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, you receive the message
Booting
Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition. Press any key to continue
.
5
Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard
drive.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD
1
Insert the
Drivers and Utilities
CD.
2
Shut down (see page 85) and restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 85) and try again.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer
boots according to the devices specified in system setup.
3
When the boot device list appears, highlight
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
and press <Enter>.
4
Select the
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
option from the CD boot menu.
5
Select the
Boot from CD-ROM
option from the menu that appears.
6
Ty p e
1
to start the ResourceCD menu.
7
Ty p e
2
to start the Dell Diagnostics.
8
Select
Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics
from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed,
select the version appropriate for your computer.
9
When the Dell Diagnostics
Main Menu
appears, select the test you want to run (see
page 59).
Solving Problems 59
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
1
After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the
Main
Menu
screen appears, click the button for the
option you want.
2
If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a
description of the problem. Write down the error code and problem description and follow
the instructions on the screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell (see page 109).
NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. If you contact Dell,
technical support will ask for your Service Tag.
3
If you run a test from the
Custom Test
or
Symptom Tree
option, click the applicable tab
described in the following table for more information.
Option Function
Express Test Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes
10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your
part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of
tracing the problem quickly.
Extended Test Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically
takes an hour or more and requires you to answer
questions periodically.
Custom Test Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you
want to run.
Symptom Tree Lists the most common symptoms encountered and
allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the
problem you are having.
Tab Function
Results Displays the results of the test and any error conditions
encountered.
Errors Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and
the problem description.
Help Describes the test and may indicate requirements for
running the test.
60 Solving Problems
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4
When the tests are completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics from the
Drivers and
Utilities
CD
,
remove the CD.
5
When the tests are complete, close the test screen to return to the
Main
Menu
screen. To exit
the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the
Main
Menu
screen.
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require
a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each
device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.
Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or
configuration is needed.
NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your
computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating
system. You may need to install drivers if you:
• Upgrade your operating system.
• Reinstall your operating system.
• Connect or install a new device.
Identifying Drivers
If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your
problem and, if necessary, update the driver.
Configuration Displays your hardware configuration for the selected
device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information
for all devices from system setup, memory, and various
internal tests, and it displays the information in the
device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list
may not display the names of all the components
installed on your computer or all devices attached to your
computer.
Parameters Allows you to customize the test by changing the test
settings.
Tab Function
Solving Problems 61
Windows XP
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Under
Pick a Category
, click
Performance and Maintenance
.
3
Click
System
.
4
In the
System Properties
window, click the
Hardware
tab.
5
Click
Device Manager
.
6
Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [
!]
) on
the device icon.
If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or
install a new driver as described in the following section.
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and Utilities CD provide
approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer
might not work correctly.
Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback
If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device
Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Under
Pick a Category
, click
Performance and Maintenance
.
3
Click
System
.
4
In the
System Properties
window, click the
Hardware
tab.
5
Click
Device Manager
.
6
Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click
Properties
.
7
Click the
Drivers
tab.
8
Click
Roll Back Driver
.
If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your
computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver.
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Using the Drivers and Utilities CD
If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore does not resolve the problem, then reinstall the
driver from the
Drivers and Utilities
CD.
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Drivers and Utilities
CD.
In most cases, the CD starts running automatically. If it does not, start Windows Explorer,
click your CD drive directory to display the CD contents, and then double-click the
autorcd.exe
file. The first time that you run the CD, it might prompt you to install setup files.
Click
OK
, and follow the instructions on the screen to continue.
3
From the
Language
drop-down menu in the toolbar, select your preferred language for the
driver or utility (if available). A welcome screen appears.
4
Click
Next
.
The CD automatically scans your hardware to detect drivers and utilities used by your
computer.
5
After the CD completes the hardware scan, you can also detect other drivers and utilities.
Under
Search Criteria
, select the appropriate categories from the
System Model
,
Operating
System
, and
Topic
drop-down menus.
A link or links appear(s) for the specific drivers and utilities used by your computer.
6
Click the link of a specific driver or utility to display information about the driver or utility
that you want to install.
7
Click the
Install
button (if present) to begin installing the driver or utility. At the welcome
screen, follow the screen prompts to complete the installation.
If no
Install
button is present, automatic installation is not an option. For installation
instructions, either see the appropriate instructions in the following subsections, or click
Extract
, follow the extracting instructions, and then read the readme file.
If instructed to navigate to the driver files, click the CD directory on the driver information
window to display the files associated with that driver.
Manually Reinstalling Drivers
1
After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described in the previous section, click
the
Start
button and right-click
My Computer
.
2
Click
Properties
.
3
Click the
Hardware
tab and click
Device Manager
.
4
Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for example,
Modems
or
Infrared devices
).
5
Double-click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver.
Solving Problems 63
6
Click the
Driver
tab and click
Update Driver
.
7
Click
Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)
and click
Next
.
8
Click
Browse
and browse to the location to which you previously extracted the driver files.
9
When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click
Next
.
10
Click
Finish
and restart your computer.
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly
configured, you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.
To resolve incompatibilities using the Hardware Troubleshooter:
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Ty p e
hardware troubleshooter
in the
Search
field and click the arrow to start the search.
3
Click
Hardware Troubleshooter
in the
Search Results
list.
4
In the
Hardware Troubleshooter
list, click
I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my
computer
, and click
Next
.
Using Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore
The Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return
your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the
hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating
state. See the Windows Help and Support Center for information on using System Restore. To
access help, see page 10.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or
recover them.
Creating a Restore Point
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Click
System Restore
.
3
Follow the instructions on the screen.
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Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
If problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver Rollback (see page 61) to
resolve the problem. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.
NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files
and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system
restoration is complete.
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
→
Accessories
→
System Tools
, and then click
System Restore
.
2
Ensure that
Restore my computer to an earlier time
is selected and click
Next
.
3
Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
The
Select a Restore Point
screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore
points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in boldface type.
4
Select a restore point and click
Next
.
If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected.
If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.
5
Click
Next
.
The
Restoration Complete
screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and
then the computer restarts.
6
After the computer restarts, click
OK
.
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you
can undo the restoration.
Undoing the Last System Restore
NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open
programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
→
Accessories
→
System Tools
, and then click
System Restore
.
2
Click
Undo my last restoration
and click
Next
.
3
Click
Next
.
The
System Restore
screen appears and the computer restarts.
4
After the computer restarts, click
OK
.