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Manual 6
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FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\title.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Dell™ Latitude™ D620
User’s Guide
book.book Page 1 Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:12 PM
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\title.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
For information on other documentation included with your computer, see "Finding Information" on page 11.
HORIZONTAL RULE (HTML)
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 "Glossary" on page 161.
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.
© 2005–2006 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, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault, PowerApp,
ExpressCharge, TravelLite, Strike Zone, Wi-Fi Catcher, Dell MediaDirect, XPS, and Dell OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Core and
Intel are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Outlook, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation;
Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license; TouchStrip is a trademark of UPEK, Inc.;
EMC is a registered trademark of EMC Corporation; ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
As an ENERGY STAR partner, Dell Inc. has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
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 PP18L
January 2006 P/N PC979 Rev. A01
book.book Page 2 Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:12 PM
Contents 3
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\bookTOC.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Contents
1 Finding Information
2 About Your Computer
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Left Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Right Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Back View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3 Using a Battery
Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Checking the Battery Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Charge Gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Health Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Conserving Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Power Management Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Standby Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Hibernate Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Configuring Power Management Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Replacing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Storing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
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4Contents
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\bookTOC.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
4 Using the Keyboard
Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Key Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
System Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Display Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Changing the Track Stick Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5 Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Switching the Video Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Dual Independent Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Using the Ambient Light Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
6 Using Multimedia
Playing CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Adjusting the Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Volume Control Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Volume Control Buttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Volume Control Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Adjusting the Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7 Using a Network
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem . . . . . . . . . . 47
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Contents 5
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\bookTOC.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Network Setup Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Checking Your Wireless Network Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Setting Up a New WLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell™ QuickSet
51
Mobile Broadband Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection . 52
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card. . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Managing Your Network Settings Through the Dell QuickSet Location Profiler 54
Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Internet Connection Firewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
8 Using Cards
Card Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
ExpressCards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Card Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Extended Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Removing a Card or Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
9 Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Using Smart Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
About Smart Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Installing a Smart Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
About Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Using a Primary (or System) Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Using an Administrator Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Using a Hard Drive Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Enabling the TPM Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Security Management Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Activating the Security Management Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Using the Security Management Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Computer Tracking Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
10 Troubleshooting
Dell Technical Update Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD . . . . . . 68
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Dell Support Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Accessing the Dell Support Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Clicking the Dell Support Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
CD and DVD drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray . . . . . 72
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Hard drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Keyboard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
External Keyboard problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Unexpected characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
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FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\bookTOC.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
The computer does not start up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
The computer stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
A program stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
A program crashes repeatedly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system 78
A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Dell MediaDirect™ problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Other software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Mobile Broadband Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
PC Card or ExpressCard Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Docking Power Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Printer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Scanner Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Sound and Speaker Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
No sound from integrated speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
No sound from external speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
No sound from headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Video and Display Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
If the display is blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
If the display is difficult to read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
If only part of the display is readable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
11 System Setup Program
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Viewing the System Setup Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
System Setup Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Commonly Used Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
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FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\bookTOC.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Changing the Boot Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Changing COM Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Enabling the Infrared Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
12 Reinstalling Software
Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
What Is a Driver? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Using Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Creating a Restore Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Undoing the Last System Restore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Using the Operating System CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Reinstalling Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
13 Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Before Working Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Hinge Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Mobile Broadband Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
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FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\bookTOC.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Media Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Removing Media Bay Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
14 Dell™ QuickSet Features
15 Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Packing the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Traveling by Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
16 Getting Help
Obtaining Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Automated Order-Status Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Support Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Problems With Your Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Product Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
17 Specifications
18 Appendix
Cleaning Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Computer, Keyboard, and Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
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Floppy Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
CDs and DVDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Macrovision Product Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
FCC Notice (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
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Finding Information 11
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\findinfo.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Finding Information
NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may
not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
• My device documentation
• Notebook System Software (NSS)
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD)
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may be optional and may
not ship with your computer.
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your
computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers (see
"Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 94) or to run
the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
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: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at
support.dell.com.
• How to set up my computer
• Basic troubleshooting information
• How to run the Dell Diagnostics
• How to remove and install parts
Quick Reference Guide
NOTE: This document may be optional and may not ship with
your computer.
NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at
support.dell.com.
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12 Finding Information
FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\reggie_davis\Desktop\Projects-07\BEN\findinfo.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• How to remove and replace parts
•Specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
Dell Latitude™ User’s Guide
Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support.
2
Click
Dell User and System Guides
and click
System
Guides
.
3
Click the
User’s Guide
for your computer.
• 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 support. It is
recommended that you keep a copy of the Service Tag in a
secure location in case your computer is lost or stolen.
• Enter the Express
Service Code to direct
your call when
contacting support.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
book.book Page 12 Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:12 PM
Finding Information 13
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles
from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked
questions
• 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, service call and
order status, warranty, and repair information
• Service and support — Service call status and support
history, service contract, online discussions with support
• Reference — Computer documentation, details on my
computer configuration, product specifications, and
white papers
• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software
updates
• Notebook System Software (NSS)— If you reinstall the
operating system for your computer, you should also
reinstall the NSS utility. NSS provides critical updates
for your operating system and support for Dell™
3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel
®
Pentium
®
M
processors, optical drives, and USB devices. NSS is
necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.
The software automatically detects your computer and
operating system and installs the updates appropriate
for your configuration.
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support
site.
To download Notebook System Software:
1
Go to
support.dell.com
and click
Downloads
.
2
Enter your Service Tag or product model.
3
In the
Download Category
drop-down menu, click
All
.
4
Select the operating system and operating system
language for your computer, and click
Submit.
5
Under
Select a Device
, scroll to
System and
Configuration Utilities
, and click
Dell Notebook System
Software
.
• Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints —
Frequently asked questions, hot topics, and general
health of your computing environment
Dell Support Utility
The Dell Support Utility is an automated upgrade and
notification system installed on your computer. This
support provides real-time health scans of your computing
environment, software updates, and relevant self-support
information. Access the Dell Support Utility from the
icon in the taskbar. For more information, see "Accessing the
Dell Support Utility" on page 70.
• How to use Windows XP
• How to work with programs and files
• How to personalize my desktop
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
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14 Finding Information
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
• Information on network activity, the Power Management
Wizard, hotkeys, and other items controlled by Dell
QuickSet
Dell QuickSet Help
To view
Dell QuickSet Help
,
right-click the icon
in the Microsoft® Windows® taskbar.
For more information on Dell QuickSet, see "Dell™
QuickSet Features" on page 121.
• How to reinstall my operating system
Operating System CD
NOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may
not ship with your computer.
The operating system is already installed on your computer.
To reinstall your operating system, use the optional
Operating System CD. See "Using the Operating System
CD" on page 97.
After you reinstall your
operating system, use the
Drivers and Utilities CD
(ResourceCD) to reinstall
drivers for the devices that
came with your computer.
NOTE: The color of your CD
varies based on the
operating system you
ordered.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
book.book Page 14 Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:12 PM
About Your Computer 15
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
About Your Computer
Front View
DISPLAY LATCH —Keeps the display closed.
DISPLAY —For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on page 39.
1display latch 2display 3power button
4device status lights 5keyboard 6fingerprint reader (optional)
(optional)
7speaker 8touch pad buttons/track stick 9keyboard status lights
10 volume control buttons 11 ambient light sensor (ALS) 12 mute button
2
3
10
1
4
6
5
8
11
12
9
7
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16 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
POWER BUTTON —Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power management mode. See "Power
Management Modes" on page 29.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft® Windows® operating system
shutdown rather than by pressing the power button.
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (which
may take several seconds).
DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS
Turns on when you turn on the computer and blinks when the computer is
in a power management mode.
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 steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status.
Turns on when wireless devices are enabled.
Turns on when Bluetooth® wireless technology is enabled. To enable or
disable Bluetooth wireless technology, move the wireless switch to the "on"
position. See "wireless switch" on page 19 for more information.
NOTE: Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature on your
computer, so the icon turns on only if you ordered Bluetooth wireless
technology with your computer. For more information, see the documentation
that came with your Bluetooth wireless technology.
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About Your Computer 17
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:
– Solid green: The battery is charging.
– Flashing green: The battery is almost fully charged.
– Off: The battery is adequately charged (or external power is not available to charge the battery).
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 orange: The battery charge is low.
– Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.
KEYBOARD —The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Windows logo key. For information on
supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Using the Keyboard" on page 33.
FINGERPRINT READER (OPTIONAL)—Helps to keep your Dell™ computer secure. When you slide your finger over
the reader, it uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity. For information on how to activate and
use the security management software that controls the fingerprint reader, see "Security Management Software" on
page 64.
SPEAKER —To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker, press the volume control buttons, mute button, or
volume-control keyboard shortcuts. For more information, see "Key Combinations" on page 33.
TOUCH PAD BUTTONS/TRACK STICK —Provide the functionality of a mouse. See "Touch Pad" on page 35 for more
information.
AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR (ALS) — Helps to control display brightness. See for more information, see "Using the
Ambient Light Sensor" on page 41.
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
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18 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
VOLUME CONTROL BUTTONS —Press these buttons to adjust the volume.
MUTE BUTTON —Press this button to turn off the volume.
Left Side View
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 Dell
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.
SECURITY CABLE SLOT —Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. For more
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.
1air vents 2security cable slot 3audio connectors (2)
4infrared sensor 5smart card slot 6wireless switch
7Wi-Fi Catcher™ light 8PC Card slot 9hard drive
9
A
123456 8 9
7
book.book Page 18 Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:12 PM
About Your Computer 19
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
information, see "Security Cable Lock" on page 59.
AUDIO CONNECTORS
INFRARED SENSOR —Lets you transfer files from your computer to another infrared-compatible device without
using cable connections.
When you receive your computer, the sensor is disabled. You can use the system setup program (see "System Setup
Program" on page 89) to enable the sensor. For information on transferring data, see Windows Help, the Help and
Support Center, or the documentation that came with your infrared-compatible device.
SMART CARD SLOT —Supports one smart card. See "Using Smart Cards" on page 59.
WIRELESS SWITCH —Turns on/off wireless devices such as Wi-Fi and internal cards with Bluetooth technology and
scans for wireless networks. For more information about scanning for wireless networks, see "Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™
Network Locator" on page 54.
Attach headphones to the connector.
Attach a microphone to the connector.
1 2 3 4
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20 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
WIRELESS SWITCH POSITIONS
WI-FI CATCHER™ LIGHT —The light operates as follows:
– Flashing green: Searching for networks
– Solid green: Strong network found
– Solid yellow:
Weak network found
– Flashing yellow: Error
– Off: No signal found
PC CARD SLOT —Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter, or an ExpressCard (with a PCMIA
adapter). The computer ships with a blank installed in the slot. For more information, see "Card Types" on page 55.
HARD DRIVE —Stores software and data.
Right Side View
1"off" position 2"on" position 3"momentary" position
4Wi-Fi Catcher light
"off" Disables wireless devices
"on" Enables wireless devices
"momentary" Scans for Wi-Fi networks. See "Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™
Network Locator" on page 54 for more information.
123
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About Your Computer 21
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
MEDIA BAY —Supports a floppy or an optical drive, second battery, second hard drive, or a Dell TravelLite™
module. See "Using Multimedia" on page 43.
DEVICE LATCH RELEASE —Use the latch release to eject a device.
USB CONNECTORS
Back View
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.
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 into the network connector.
1media bay 2device latch release 3USB connectors (2)
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
1network connector (RJ-45) 2modem connector (RJ-11) 3USB connectors (2)
4serial connector 5video connector 6AC adapter connector
7air vents
Connects the computer to a network. The two lights next to
the connector indicate status and activity for wired network
connections.
For information on using the network adapter, see the device
user’s guide supplied with your computer.
123 456 7
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22 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)
USB CONNECTORS
SERIAL CONNECTOR
VIDEO CONNECTOR
AC ADAPTER CONNECTOR —Connects an AC adapter to the computer.
If you ordered the optional internal modem, connect the
telephone line to the modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online modem
documentation supplied with your computer. See "Finding
Information" on page 11.
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device.
Connects video devices, such as a monitor.
book.book Page 22 Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:12 PM
About Your Computer 23
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
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.
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.
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.
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24 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Bottom View
MEMORY MODULE COVER —Covers the compartment that contains the second memory module. See "Memory" on
page 106.
BATTERY CHARGE GAUGE —Provides information on the battery charge. See "Checking the Battery Charge" on
page 28.
BATTERY —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.
BATTERY-BAY LATCH RELEASES —Release the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 31
for instructions.
DOCKING-DEVICE CONNECTOR —Lets you attach your computer to the Media Base or other docking device. See
the Dell documentation that came with your docking device for more information.
AIR VENTS —The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the fan air 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 fan or the computer.
1memory module cover 2battery charge gauge 3battery
4battery-bay latch releases (2) 5docking-device connector 6air vents
7hard drive
123
4
5
7
6
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About Your Computer 25
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
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.
HARD DRIVE —Stores software and data.
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26 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
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Using a Battery 27
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
NOTE: For 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. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in
the battery bay.
NOTE: Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to connect your new computer to an
electrical outlet the first time you use the computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter
until the battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, click the Start button, click Control Panel, double-
click Power Options, and then click the Power Meter tab.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions.
NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on how
often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during
the life of your computer.
Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the
following:
•Using optical 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 "Configuring Power Management
Settings" on page 31)
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD or DVD.
You can check the battery charge (see "Checking the Battery Charge" on page 28) before you insert the
battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery
charge is low (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 31).
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 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
.
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28 Using a Battery
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
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.
Checking the Battery Charge
The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft Windows Power Meter window and icon, the
battery charge gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery charge.
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter
If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <Fn><F3> to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. The Battery
Meter displays status, battery health, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your
computer.
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.
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.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.
Charge Gauge
Before you insert a battery, press the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate the charge-
level lights. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if
the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights appear, the
battery has no charge.
2
1
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Using a Battery 29
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Health Gauge
The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. After hundreds of
charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose some charge capacity, or battery health. To check the battery
health, press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds. If no lights
appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its original charge capacity remains.
Each light represents incremental degradation. If five lights appear, less than 60 percent of the charge
capacity remains, and you should consider replacing the battery. See "Specifications" on page 147 for
more information about the battery operating time.
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, or install a second battery in the media bay. If
the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.
A low-battery warning occurs when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. The
computer beeps once, indicating that minimal battery operating time remains. During that time, the
speaker beeps periodically. If two batteries are installed, the low-battery warning means that the
combined charge of both batteries is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer enters hibernate
mode when the battery charge is at a critically low level. For more information about low-battery alarms,
see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 31.
Conserving Battery Power
Perform the following actions to conserve battery power:
• Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible because battery life is largely determined
by the number of times the battery is used and recharged.
• Place the computer in standby mode or hibernate mode (see "Power Management Modes" on page 29)
when you leave the computer unattended for long periods of time.
• Use the Power Management Wizard (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 31) to
select options to optimize your computer’s power usage. These options can also be set to change when
you press the power button, close the display, or press <Fn><Esc>.
NOTE: See "Battery Performance" on page 27 for more information on conserving battery power.
Power Management Modes
Standby Mode
Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a predetermined
period of inactivity (a time-out). When the computer exits standby mode, it returns to the same
operating state it was in before entering standby mode.
1 battery 2 battery charge gauge
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30 Using a Battery
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
NOTICE: If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby mode, it may lose data.
To enter standby mode:
•Click the
Start
button, click
Turn of f c ompute r
, and then click
Stand by
.
or
• Depending on how you set the power management options on the Advanced tab in the
Power Options
Properties
window, use one of the following methods:
– Press the power button.
– Close the display.
– Press <Fn><Esc>.
To exit standby mode, press the power button or open the display depending on how you set the options
on the Advanced tab. You cannot make the computer exit standby mode by pressing a key or touching
the touch pad or track stick.
Hibernate Mode
Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive and then
completely turning off the computer. When the computer exits hibernate mode, it returns to the same
operating state it was in before entering hibernate mode.
NOTICE: You cannot remove devices or undock your computer while your computer is in hibernate mode.
Your computer enters hibernate mode if the battery charge level becomes critically low.
To manually enter hibernate mode:
•
C
lick the
Start
button, click
Turn off computer
, press and hold <Shift>, and then click
Hibernate
.
or
• Depending on how you set the power management options on the Advanced tab in the
Power Options
Properties
window, use one of the following methods to enter hibernate mode:
– Press the power button.
– Close the display.
– Press <Fn><Esc>.
Some PC Cards or ExpressCards may not operate correctly after the computer exits hibernate mode. Remove and
reinsert the card (see "Card Types" on page 55), or simply restart (reboot) your computer.To exit hibernate mode,
press the power button. The computer may take a short time to exit hibernate mode. You cannot make
the computer exit hibernate mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad or track stick. For more
information on hibernate mode, see the documentation that came with your operating system.
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Configuring Power Management Settings
You can use the QuickSet Power Management Wizard or Windows Power Options Properties to
configure the power management settings on your computer.
To access the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, double-click the icon in the taskbar. For more
information about QuickSet, click the Help button in the Power Management Wizard.
To access the Power Options Properties window, click the Start button→ Control Panel→ Performance
and Maintenance→ Power Options. For information on any field in the Power Options Properties
window, click the question mark icon on the title bar and then click on the area where you need
information.
Charging the Battery
NOTE: With Dell™ ExpressCharge™, when the computer is turned off, the AC adapter charges a completely
discharged battery to 80 percent in about 1 hour and to 100 percent in approximately 2 hours. Charge time is longer
with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer for as long as you like. The battery’s internal
circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.
NOTE: If you want to use a 9-cell battery to obtain Dell ExpressCharge, you need to use it in conjunction with a 90-
W AC adapter.
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.
The battery is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately green and orange. Disconnect
the computer from the electrical outlet and allow the computer and the battery to cool to room
temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging the battery.
Replacing the Battery
CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, turn off the computer, disconnect the AC adapter from the
electrical outlet and the computer, disconnect the modem from the wall connector and computer, and remove any
other external cables from the computer.
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 battery is designed to work with your Dell™ computer. Do not
use a battery from other computers with your computer.
NOTICE: You must remove all external cables from the computer to avoid possible connector damage.
For information about replacing the second battery, if applicable, see "Media Bay" on page 119.
To remove the battery:
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1
If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that
came with your docking device for instructions.
2
Ensure that the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode (see "Hibernate Mode" on page 30).Slide
the two battery-bay latch releases on the bottom of the computer toward the sides of the computer
until they are engaged.
3
Grasp the battery by the battery tab and slide the battery horizontally toward the front of the
computer.
4
Lift to remove the battery from the bay.
To replace the battery, follow the removal procedure in reverse order.
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 (see
"Charging the Battery" on page 31).
1battery 2battery-bay latch release (2) 3battery tab
1
2
3
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Using the Keyboard
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.
Key Combinations
System Functions
1numeric keypad
<Ctrl><Shift><Esc> Opens the Tas k Man age r window
1
9
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Battery
Display Functions
Power Management
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions
<Fn><F3> Displays the Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter (see "Dell™
QuickSet Battery Meter" on page 28).
<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><F7> Scales between wide-screen and standard aspect ratio
video resolutions.
<Fn> and left-arrow
key
Activates the ambient light sensor (ALS), which controls
brightness of the display based on light level in the
current environment.
<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><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.
<Fn><F1> Puts the computer into hibernate mode. Dell QuickSet is
required (see "Dell™ QuickSet Features" on page 121).
Windows logo key and
<m>
Minimizes all open windows
Windows logo key and
<Shift><m>
Restores all minimized windows. This key
combination functions as a toggle to restore
minimized windows following the use of the
Windows logo key and <m> key combination.
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
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To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate, open the Control Panel, click Printers
and Other Hardware, and click Keyboard. For information about the Control Panel, see the Windows
Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center, see "Windows Help and Support
Center" on page 13.
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.
NOTE: The fingerprint reader is optional and may not be installed on your computer. For information on how to
activate and use the security management software that controls the fingerprint reader, see "Security
Management Software" on page 64.
• 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.
• To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch
pad. On the second tap, leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding
your finger over the surface.
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
1touch pad buttons 2fingerprint reader (optional) 3touch pad
2
3
1
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• 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.
You can also use the track stick to move the cursor. Press the track stick left, right, up, or down to change
the direction of the cursor on the display. Use the track stick and track stick buttons as you would use a
mouse.
Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick
You can use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad and track stick or adjust their
settings.
1
O
pen the Control Panel and click
Mouse
. For information about the Control Panel, see the Windows
Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center, see "Windows Help and Support
Center" on page 13.
2
In the
Mouse Properties
window:
•Click the
Device Select
tab to disable the touch pad and track stick.
•Click the
Pointer
tab to adjust touch pad and track stick settings.
3
Click
OK
to save the settings and close the window.
Changing the Track Stick Cap
You can replace your track stick cap if it wears down from prolonged use or if you prefer a different color.
You can purchase additional caps by visiting the Dell website at www.dell.com.
1
Pull the cap off the track stick.
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2
Align the new cap over the square track-stick post and gently press the cap down onto the post.
NOTICE: The track stick can damage the display if it is not properly seated on the post.
3
Test the track stick to ensure that the cap is seated properly.
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power by setting the brightness
to the lowest comfortable setting by pressing <Fn> and the up- or down-arrow key on the keyboard.
NOTE: Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your portable computer, not monitors or projectors
that you attach to your portable computer or docking device. If your computer is connected to an external monitor
and you try to change the brightness level, the Brightness Meter may appear, but the brightness level on the
external device does not change.
You can press the following keys to adjust display brightness:
• Press <Fn> and the up-arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated display only (not on an
external monitor).
• Press <Fn> and the down-arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only (not on an
external monitor).
Switching the Video Image
When you start the computer with an external device (such as an external monitor or projector)
attached and turned on, the image may appear on either the computer display or the external device.
Press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image between the display only, the external device only, or the
display and the external device simultaneously.
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate
To display a program at a specific resolution, both the graphics card and the display must support the
program, and the necessary video drivers must be installed.
Before you change any of the default display settings, make a note of the default settings for future
reference.
NOTE: Use only the Dell-installed video drivers, which are designed to offer the best performance with your Dell-
installed operating system.
If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust
automatically to the closest supported values.
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Under
Pick a category
, click
Appearance and Themes
.
3
Under
Pick a task...
, click the area you want to change, or under
or pick a Control Panel icon
, click
Display
.
4
In the Display Properties window, click the
Settings
tab.
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5
Try different settings for
Color quality
and
Screen resolution
.
NOTE: As the resolution increases, icons and text appear smaller on the screen.
If the video resolution setting is higher than that supported by the display, the computer enters pan
mode. In pan mode, the entire screen cannot be displayed at one time. For example, the taskbar that
usually appears at the bottom of the desktop may no longer be visible. To view the rest of the screen, use
the touch pad or track stick to pan up, down, left, and right.
NOTICE: You can damage an external monitor by using an unsupported refresh rate. Before adjusting the refresh
rate on an external monitor, see the user’s guide for the monitor.
Dual Independent Display Mode
You can attach an external monitor or projector to your computer and use it as an extension of your
display (known as "dual independent display" or "extended desktop" mode). This mode allows you to use
both screens independently and drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the
amount of viewable work space.
1
Connect the external monitor, TV, or projector to the computer.
2
Under
Pick a category
, click
Appearance and Themes
.
3
Under
Pick a task...
, click the area you want to change, or under
or pick a Control Panel icon
, click
Display
.
4
In the
Display Properties
window, click the
Settings
tab.
NOTE: If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust
automatically to the closest supported values. For more information, see your operating system documentation.
5
Click the monitor 2 icon, click the
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor
check box, and
then click
Apply
.
6
Change
Screen resolution
to the appropriate sizes for both displays and click
Apply
.
7
If prompted to restart the computer, click
Apply the new color setting without restarting
and click
OK
.
8
If prompted, click
OK
to resize your desktop.
9
If prompted, click
Yes
to keep the settings.
10
Click
OK
to close the
Display Properties
window.
To disable dual independent display mode:
1
Click the
Settings
tab in the
Display Properties
window.
2
Click the monitor 2 icon, uncheck the
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor
option, and
then click
Apply
.
If necessary, press <Fn><F8> to bring the screen image back to the computer display.
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Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays
To swap your primary and secondary display designations (for example, to use your external monitor as
your primary display after docking):
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Under
Pick a category
, click
Appearance and Themes
.
3
Under
Pick a task...
, click the area you want to change, or under
or pick a Control Panel icon
, click
Display
.
4
Click the
Settings
tab
→
Advanced
→
Displays
tab.
See the documentation that came with your video card for additional information.
Using the Ambient Light Sensor
The ambient light sensor (ALS) is located on the bottom of the computer display panel. The ALS
detects available environmental light and automatically increases or decreases the display backlighting to
compensate for low-light and high-light environments.
You can enable or disable the ALS feature by pressing the <Fn> and left-arrow key combination.
NOTE: Do not cover the ALS with any adhesive labels. If covered up, the ALS automatically sets the display
brightness to the minimum level.
The ALS is disabled when your computer is shipped to you. If you enable the ALS and then use any of
the display brightness key combinations, the ALS is disabled and the display brightness is increased or
decreased accordingly.
1ambient light sensor
1
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Dell™ QuickSet allows you to enable or disable the ALS feature. You can also adjust maximum and
minimum brightness settings that are activated when you enable the ALS feature. For more information
about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.
NOTE: Rebooting the computer returns the ambient light sensor to the last setting of enabled or disabled.
NOTE: The ambient light sensor adjusts the display backlighting on your portable computer only. It does not
control the brightness on any external monitors or projectors.
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Template Last Updated - 7/01/2005 Using Multimedia 43
6
Using Multimedia
Playing CDs or DVDs
NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep the tray closed when you
are not using the drive.
NOTICE: Do not move the computer while playing CDs or DVDs.
1
Press the eject button on the front of the drive.
2
Pull out the tray.
3
Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray and snap the disc onto the spindle.
NOTE: If you use a module that shipped with another computer, you need to install the drivers and software
necessary to play DVDs or write data. For more information, see the Drivers and Utilities CD (the Drivers and
Utilities CD is optional and may not be available for your computer or in certain countries).
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4
Push the tray back into the drive.
To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the CD software that came
with your computer.
NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs.
Adjusting the Volume
NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing.
Volume Control Window
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs (
or
Programs)
→
Accessories
→
Entertainment
(or
Multimedia
), and then click
Volume Control
.
2
In the
Volume Control
window, click and drag the bar in the
Volume Control
column and slide it up
or down to increase or decrease the volume.
For more information on volume control options, click Help in the Volume Control window.
Volume Control Buttons
You can adjust the volume with the volume control buttons on your computer. See "volume control
buttons" on page 18.
Volume Control Keys
You can adjust the volume by pressing the following keys:
•Press
<Fn> <PageUp>
to increase volume.
•Press
<Fn> <PageDn>
to decrease volume.
•Press
<Fn> <End>
to mute volume.
Adjusting the Picture
If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are using too much memory
and preventing DVD playback, adjust the display properties.
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
Settings
→
Control Panel
, and then click
Display
.
2
In the
Display Properties
window, click the
Settings
tab.
3
Under
Pick a category
, click
Appearance and Themes
.
4
Under
Pick a task...
, click
Change the screen resolution
.
5
Under
Screen resolution
, click and drag the bar in
Screen resolution
to change the setting to
1024 by
768 pixels
.
6
Click the drop-down menu under
Color quality
, and then click
Medium (16 bit)
.
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7
Click
OK
.
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Using a Network
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem
Before you connect your computer to a network that is not wireless, the computer must have 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 connector until it clicks into place, and then gently pull the cable to ensure that it is
securely attached.
2
Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device or a network wall
connector.
NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall connector.
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
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 Service Pack 2 (SP2).
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4
Complete the checklist.
5
Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
A WLAN is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the air waves
rather than through a network cable connected to each computer. In a WLAN, a radio communications
device called an access point or wireless router connects network computers and provides Internet, or
network, access. The access point or wireless router and the wireless network card in the computer
communicate by broadcasting data from their antennas over the air waves.
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection
Before you can set up a WLAN, you need:
• High-speed (broadband) Internet access (such as cable or DSL)
• A broadband modem that is connected and working
• A wireless router or access point
• A wireless network card for each computer that you want to connect to your WLAN
• A network cable with the network (RJ-45) connector
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer, the computer has a variety of
configurations. To confirm that your computer has a wireless network card and to determine the type of
card, use one of the following:
•The
Start
button and the
Connect To
option
• Your original computer invoice
Start Button and Connect To Option
1
Click the
Start
button.
2
Point to
Connect To
, and then click
Show all connections
.
If Wireless Network Connection does not appear under LAN or High-Speed Internet, you may not have
a wireless network card.
If Wireless Network Connection appears, you have a wireless network card. To view detailed information
about the wireless network card:
1
Right-click
Wireless Network Connection.
2
Click
Properties
. The
Wireless Network Connection Properties
window appears. The wireless network
card’s name and model number are listed on the
General
tab.
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NOTE: If your computer is set to the Classic Start menu option, you can view network connections by clicking the
Start button, pointing to Settings, and then pointing to Network Connections. If Wireless Network Connection does
not appear, you may not have a wireless network card.
Order Confirmation
The order confirmation that you received when you ordered your computer lists the hardware and
software that shipped with your computer.
Setting Up a New WLAN
Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) to obtain specific information about the connection
requirements for your broadband modem.
Connecting a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem
1
Ensure that you have wired Internet access through your broadband modem before you attempt to set
up a wireless Internet connection. See "Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem" on
page 47.
2
Install any software required for your wireless router. Your wireless router may have been shipped with
an installation CD. Such CDs usually contain installation and troubleshooting information. Install the
required software according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3
Shut down your computer and any other wireless-enabled computers in the vicinity through the
Start
menu.
4
Disconnect your broadband modem power cable from the electrical outlet.
5
Disconnect the network cable from the computer and the modem.
NOTE: Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after disconnecting your broadband modem before you continue with the
network setup.
6
Disconnect the AC adapter cable from your wireless router to ensure that there is no power connected
to the router.
7
Insert a network cable into the network (RJ-45) connector on the unpowered broadband modem.
8
Connect the other end of the network cable into the Internet network (RJ-45) connector on the
unpowered wireless router.
9
Ensure that no network or USB cables, other than the network cable connecting the modem and the
wireless router, are connected to the broadband modem.
NOTE: Restart your wireless equipment in the order described below to prevent a potential connection failure.
10
Tu r n o n
only
your broadband modem and wait for at least 2 minutes for the broadband modem to
stabilize. After 2 minutes, proceed to step 11.
11
Turn on your wireless router and wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless router to stabilize. After 2
minutes, proceed to step 12.
12
Start your computer and wait until the boot process completes.
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13
See the documentation that came with your wireless router to do the following in order to set up the
wireless router:
• Establish communication between your computer and your wireless router.
• Configure your wireless router to communicate with your broadband router.
• Find out your wireless router’s broadcast name. The technical term for the name of your router’s
broadcast name is Service Set Identifier (SSID) or network name.
14
If necessary, configure your wireless network card to connect to the wireless network. See "Connecting
to a Wireless Local Area Network" on page 50.
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
NOTE: Before you connect to a WLAN, ensure that you have followed the instructions in "Wireless Local Area
Network (WLAN)" on page 48.
NOTE: The following networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Bluetooth® wireless technology
or cellular products.
This section provides general procedures for connecting to a network via wireless technology. Specific
network names and configuration details vary. See "Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)" on page 48
for more information about how to prepare for connecting your computer to a WLAN.
Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers for connecting to a network. The
software is already installed if you ordered the card at the same time you ordered your computer.
NOTE: If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions in the user documentation for your wireless
network card. Verify the type of wireless network card installed in your computer and then search for that name on
the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. For information on the type of wireless network card that is installed
in your computer, see "Checking Your Wireless Network Card" on page 48.
Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager
Depending on the software installed on your computer, different wireless configuration utilities may
manage your network devices:
• Your wireless network card’s client utility
• The Windows XP operating system
To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless network card:
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
Settings
, and then click
Control Panel
.
2
Double-click
Network Connections
.
3
Right-click the
Wireless Network Connection
icon, and then click
View Available Wireless Networks
.
•If the
Choose a wireless network
window states
Windows cannot configure this connection
, the
wireless network card’s client utility is managing the wireless network card.
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•If the
Choose a wireless network
window states
Click an item in the list below to connect to a
wireless network in range or to get more information
, the Windows XP operating system is
managing the wireless network card.
For specific information about the wireless configuration utility installed on your computer, see your
wireless network documentation in the Windows Help and Support Center.
To access the Help and Support Center:
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Under
Pick a Help topic
, click
Dell User and System Guides
.
3
Under
Device Guides
, select the documentation for your wireless network card.
Completing the Connection to the WLAN
When you turn on your computer and a network (for which your computer is not configured) is detected
in the area, a pop-up appears near the network icon in the notification area (in the lower-right corner of
the Windows desktop).
Follow the instructions provided in any utility prompts that appear on your screen.
Once you have configured your computer for the wireless network that you selected, another pop-up
notifies you that your computer is connected to that network.
Thereafter, whenever you log on to your computer within the range of the wireless network that you
selected, the same pop-up notifies you of the wireless network connection.
NOTE: If you select a secure network, you must enter a WEP or WPA key when prompted. Network security
settings are unique to your network. Dell cannot provide this information.
NOTE: Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network.
Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell™ QuickSet
The wireless activity indicator provides an easy way to monitor the status of your computer’s wireless
devices. Right-click the Dell QuickSet icon in your taskbar to select or deselect Wireless Activity
Indicator Off to turn the wireless activity indicator on or off.
The wireless activity indicator indicates whether your computer’s wireless devices are enabled or
disabled. When you turn the wireless networking function on or off, the wireless activity indicator
changes to display the status.
For more information about the wireless activity indicator, see the Dell QuickSet Help file. For
information about QuickSet and how to access the Dell QuickSet Help file, see "Dell™ QuickSet
Features" on page 121.
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52 Using a Network
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 1/25/07 – FOR PROOF ONLY
Mobile Broadband Network
Much like a WLAN, a Mobile Broadband network is a series of interconnected computers that
communicate with each other through wireless technology. However, a Mobile Broadband network uses
cellular technology and therefore provides Internet access in the same varied locations from which
cellular telephone service is available. Your computer can maintain the Mobile Broadband network
connection regardless of its physical location, as long as the computer remains in the service area of your
cellular service provider.
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
NOTE: Depending on your computer, you can use either a Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card, but not
both, to establish a Mobile Broadband network connection.
To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need:
NOTE: Mobile Broadband cards may not be available in all regions.
• A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card (depending on your computer’s configuration)
• For instructions on using ExpressCards, see "Card Types" on page 55.
• The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility (already installed on your computer if you purchased the card
when you purchased your computer, or on the CD that accompanied your card if purchased separately
from your computer)
If the utility is corrupted or deleted from your computer, see the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility
user’s guide for instructions. The user’s guide is available through the Windows Help and Support
Center (or on the CD that accompanied your card if you purchased it separately from your computer).
To access the Help and Support Center, see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13.
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card
Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer, the computer has a variety of
configurations. To determine your computer configuration, see one of the following:
• Your order confirmation
•Microsoft
®
Windows
®
Help and Support Center
To check your Mobile Broadband card in the Help and Support Center:
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Under
Pick a task
, click
Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems
.
3
Under
Tools
, click
My Computer Information
and then click
Find information about the hardware
installed on this computer.
On the My Computer Information - Hardware screen, you can view the type of Mobile Broadband card
installed in your computer as well as other hardware components.
NOTE: The Mobile Broadband card is listed under Modems.
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Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
NOTE: These instructions only apply to Mobile Broadband ExpressCards or Mini-Cards. They do not apply to
internal cards with Bluetooth® wireless technology or WLAN Mini-Cards.
NOTE: Before you connect to the Internet, you must activate Mobile Broadband service through your cellular
service provider. For instructions and for additional information about using the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility,
see the user's guide available through the Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support
Center, see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13. The user's guide is also available on the Dell Support
website at support.dell.com and on the CD included with your Mobile Broadband card if you purchased the card
separately from your computer.
Use the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility to establish and manage a Mobile Broadband network
connection to the Internet:
1
Click the
Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility icon,
, on your Windows desktop, to run the utility.
2
Click
Connect
.
NOTE: The Connect button changes to the Disconnect button.
3
Follow the instructions on the screen to manage the network connection with the utility.
OR
1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
→
Dell Wireless
.
2
Click
Dell Wireless Broadband
and follow the instructions on the screen.
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card
NOTE: If you are unable to connect to a Mobile Broadband network, ensure that you have all the components for
establishing a Mobile Broadband connection (see "What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network
Connection" on page 52), and then verify that your Mobile Broadband card is enabled by verifying the setting of the
wireless switch.
You can turn your computer’s wireless devices on and off with the wireless switch on the left side of the
computer (see "Left Side View" on page 18).
If the switch is in the "on" position, move the switch to the "off" position to disable the switch and the
Mobile Broadband card. If the switch is in the "off" position, move the switch to the "on" position to
enable the switch and the Dell Mobile Broadband card. For information about the wireless switch
positions, see "wireless switch" on page 19.
To monitor the status of your wireless device, see "Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network
Connections Through Dell™ QuickSet" on page 51.
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Managing Your Network Settings Through the Dell QuickSet
Location Profiler
The QuickSet Location Profiler helps you create profiles for accessing the Internet with your computer
in your office, home, or other public places with Internet services. You can also change the way network
connections are handled.
For more information about the Location Profiler, see the Dell QuickSet Help file. For information about
QuickSet and how to access the Dell QuickSet Help file, see "Dell™ QuickSet Features" on page 121.
Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator
The wireless switch on your Dell computer uses the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator to scan
specifically for Wi-Fi wireless local area networks (LAN) in your vicinity.
NOTE: For more information about the wireless switch, see "wireless switch" on page 19.
To scan for Wi-Fi wireless LAN, slide and hold the switch in the "momentary" position for a few seconds.
The Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator functions regardless of whether your computer is turned on or off,
in hibernate mode, or in standby mode, as long as the switch is configured through QuickSet or the BIOS
(system setup program) to control Wi-Fi network connections.
Because the Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator is disabled and not configured for use when your computer
is shipped to you, you must first use Dell QuickSet to enable and configure the switch to control Wi-Fi
network connections.
For more information on the Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator and to enable the feature through
QuickSet, see the Dell QuickSet Help. To access the Help file, right-click the icon in the taskbar.
Internet Connection Firewall
The Internet Connection Firewall provides basic protection from unauthorized access to the computer
while the computer is connected to the Internet. The firewall is automatically enabled when you run the
Network Setup Wizard. When the firewall is enabled for a network connection, the firewall icon appears
with a red background in the Network Connections section of the Control Panel.
NOTE: Enabling the Internet Connection Firewall does not reduce the need for virus-checking software.
For more information, see the Help and Support Center for the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating
system. To access the Help and Support Center, see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13.
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Using Cards 55
Using Cards
NOTE: Electrical and electronic devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). If a substantial ESD occurs,
the device may reset and the device software may attempt to reinitialize a connection. If the software is not
operational after an ESD occurrence, restart the modem software program.
Card Types
PC Cards
See "Specifications" on page 147 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.
ExpressCards
See "Specifications" on page 147 for information on supported ExpressCards.
NOTE: An ExpressCard is not a bootable device.
ExpressCards leverage PC Card technology to provide a fast and convenient way to add memory, wired
and wireless network communications (including Mobile Broadband network [also known as WWAN]
communications), multimedia, and security features to your computer. To use an ExpressCard in the PC
Card slot, you must use an adapter.
Card Blanks
Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the card slots. 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 Card or Blank" on page 57.
Extended 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.
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56 Using Cards
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard
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 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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Using Cards 57
To install an ExpressCard:
1
Place the ExpressCard in the adapter.
2
Install the ExpressCard with adapter the same way as a PC Card. See the instructions for installing a
PC Card.
Removing a Card or Blank
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
NOTICE: 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.
Press the latch and remove the card or blank. 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.
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58 Using Cards
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Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
NOTE: Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock.
A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the lock, attach it to the security
cable slot on your Dell™ computer. For more information, see the instructions included with the device.
NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it works with the security cable slot on your computer.
Using Smart Cards
NOTE: For information on how to secure your computer while traveling, see "Traveling With Your Computer" on
page 123.
NOTE: The smart card feature may not be available on your computer.
About Smart Cards
Smart cards are portable credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. The top surface of
the smart card usually contains an embedded processor under the gold contact pad. The combination of
the small size and integrated circuits make smart cards valuable tools for security, data storage, and
special programs. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the
smart card) with something only the user should know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-
authentication than passwords alone.
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Installing a Smart Card
You can install a smart card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically
detects the card.
To install a smart card:
1
Hold the card so that the gold contact pad is facing upward and pointing toward the smart card slot.
2
Slide the smart card into the smart card slot until the card is completely seated in its connector. The
smart card will protrude approximately 1/2 inch from the slot. The smart card slot is located below the
PC Card slot.
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and try again.
1gold contact pad
2smart card (top)
1
2
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Passwords
About Passwords
NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.
A primary (or system) password, an administrator password, and a hard drive password all prevent
unauthorized access to your computer in different ways. The following table identifies types and features
of passwords available on your computer.
NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not
foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data
encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines:
• Choose passwords that you can remember, but not ones that are easy to guess. For example, do not use
the names of family members or pets for passwords.
• It is recommended that you do not write down passwords. If you do write it down, however, ensure that
the password is stored in a secure place.
• Do not share passwords with other people.
• Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password(s).
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not
foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data
encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 128). For your
protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an
authorized person can use the computer.
Type of Password Features
Primary
• Protects the computer from unauthorized access
Administrator
• Gives system administrators or service technicians
access to computers for repair or reconfiguration
• Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same
way a primary password restricts access to the computer
• Can be used instead of the primary password
Hard drive
• Helps protect the data on your hard drive or external
hard drive (if one is being used) from unauthorized
access
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Using a Primary (or System) Password
The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.
When you first start your computer, you must assign a primary password at the prompt.
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
To add or change passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.
If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The
computer does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password.
Using an Administrator Password
The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to
computers for repair or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical
administrator passwords to groups of computers, allowing you to assign a unique primary password.
To set or change administrator passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.
When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in system
setup. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a
primary password restricts access to the computer.
The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted
to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard
drive when a hard drive password is assigned.
If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned, or if you have
both a primary and an administrator password assigned but forget them both, contact your system
administrator or Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
Using a Hard Drive Password
The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from unauthorized access. You can
also assign a password for an external hard drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different
from the password for the primary hard drive.
To assign or change a hard drive password, enter the system setup program (see "System Setup Program"
on page 89).
After assigning a hard drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each
time you restore the computer to normal operation from standby mode.
If the hard drive password is enabled, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer: A message
appears asking for the hard drive password.
To continue, enter your password (with no more than eight characters) and press <Enter>.
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If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.
If you enter the wrong password, a message tells you that the password is invalid. Press <Enter> to try
again.
If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the computer tries to start from another
bootable device if the Boot First Device option in system setup is set to allow start-up from another
device. If the Boot First Device option is not set to allow the computer to start from another device, the
computer returns to the operating state it was in when you turned it on.
If the hard drive password, the external hard-drive password, and the primary password are the same, the
computer prompts you only for the primary password. If the hard drive password is different from the
primary password, the computer prompts you for both. Two different passwords provide greater security.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard
drive when a hard drive password is assigned.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
NOTE: The TPM feature is not available in all regions.
NOTE: The TPM feature supports encryption only if the operating system supports TPM. For more information, see
the TPM software documentation and the help files that came with the software.
TPM is a hardware-based security feature that can be used to create and manage computer-generated
encryption keys. When combined with security software, the TPM enhances existing network and
computer security by enabling features such as file protection capabilities and protected e-mail. The
TPM feature is enabled through a system setup option.
NOTICE: To secure your TPM data and encryption keys, follow the backup procedures documented in the
Broadcom Secure Foundation Getting Started Guide. In the event of these backups being incomplete, lost, or
damaged, Dell will be unable to assist in the recovery of encrypted data.
Enabling the TPM Feature
1
Enable the TPM software:
a
Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test to enter the system setup
program.
b
Select
Security
→
TPM Security
and press <Enter>.
c
Under
TPM Security
, select
On
.
d
Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.
e
If prompted, click
Save/Exit
.
2
Activate the TPM setup program:
a
Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test to enter the system setup
program.
b
Select
Security
→
TPM Activation
and press <Enter>.
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c
Under
TPM Activation
, select
Activate
and press <Enter>.
NOTE: You only need to activate the program once.
d
Once the process is complete, the computer either restarts automatically or prompts you to restart
your computer.
Security Management Software
The security management software is designed to utilize four different features to help you secure your
computer:
• Log-in management
• Pre-boot authentication (using a fingerprint reader, smart card, or password)
•Encryption
• Private information management
Activating the Security Management Software
NOTE: The TPM feature is not available in all regions.
NOTE: You must first enable the TPM in order for the security management software to have full functionality.
1
Enable the TPM feature (see "Enabling the TPM Feature" on page 63).
2
Load the security management software:
a
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
b
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> 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
and try again.
c
In the drop-down menu, select
Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite
and press <Enter> to create the
icons for the software components on the computer desktop.
d
Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.
e
If prompted, click
Save/Exit
.
Using the Security Management Software
For information about how to use the software and the different security features, see the Getting Started
Guide for the software:
Click Start
→
All Programs
→
Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite
→
Getting Started Guide
.
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Computer Tracking Software
Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your computer if it is lost or stolen. The software is
optional and may be purchased when you order your Dell™ computer, or you can contact your Dell sales
representative for information about this security feature.
NOTE: Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: If you have computer tracking software and your computer is lost or stolen, you must contact the company
that provides the tracking service to report the missing computer.
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
• Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer. Include the Service Tag in your
description of the computer. Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number, along
with the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the
name of the investigating officer.
NOTE: If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area. If you do not
know, call a law enforcement agency where you live.
• If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the company.
• Contact Dell customer service to report the missing computer. Provide the computer Service Tag, the
case number, and the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency to which you
reported the missing computer. If possible, give the name of the investigating officer.
The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the computer Service Tag and record
the computer as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service
Tag, the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The representative will attempt to get
the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which
you reported of the missing computer.
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Template Last Updated - 7/01/2005 Troubleshooting 67
10
Troubleshooting
Dell Technical Update Service
The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware
updates for your computer. The service is free and can be customized for content, format, and how
frequently you receive notifications.
To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service, go to support.dell.com/technicalupdate.
Dell Diagnostics
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide
.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Lockups and Software
Problems" on page 78 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not ship with your computer.
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 "Contacting Dell" on
page 128).
1
Shut down the computer.
2
If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that
came with your docking device for instructions.
3
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
4
Diagnostics can be invoked one of two ways:
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• Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select
Diagnostics from the boot menu and press <Enter>.
NOTE: 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 and try again.
• Press and hold the <Fn> key while powering the computer on.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell
Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities CD.
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 <Esc>; 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
"Contacting Dell" on page 128)
.
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 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 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
Boot from CD-ROM
option from the menu that appears and press <Enter>.
5
Ty p e
1
to start the menu and press <Enter> to proceed.
6
Select
Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics
from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select
the version appropriate for your computer.
7
When the Dell Diagnostics
Main Menu
appears, select the test you want to run.
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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
"Contacting Dell" on page 128)
.
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 1 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.
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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.
Dell Support Utility
The Dell Support Utility is installed on your computer and available from the Dell Support icon on the
taskbar or from the Start button. Use this support utility for self-support information, software updates,
and health scans of your computing environment.
Accessing the Dell Support Utility
Access the Dell Support Utility from the Dell Support icon (
)
on the taskbar or from the Start menu.
If the icon does not appear in your taskbar:
1
Click the
Start
button and point to
Programs
.
2
Click
Dell Support
and point to
Dell Support Settings
.
3
Ensure that the
Show icon on the taskbar
option is checked.
NOTE: If the Dell Support Utility is not available from the Start menu, go to support.dell.com and download the
software.
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
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Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Click or right-click the
icon to perform the following tasks:
• Check your computing environment
• View the Dell Support Utility settings
• Access the help file for the Dell Support Utility
• View frequently asked questions
• Learn more about the Dell Support Utility
• Turn the Dell Support Utility off
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Double-click the icon to manually check your computing environment, view frequently asked
questions, access the help file for the Dell Support Utility, and view Dell Support settings.
For more information about the Dell Support Utility, click the question mark (?) at the top of the Dell
Support screen.
Drive Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128) as you complete these
checks.
ENSURE THAT MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE —Click the Start button and click My
Computer. If the floppy, CD, or DVD drive, is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for
and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.
TEST THE DRIVE —
• Insert another floppy disk, CD, or DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original one is defective.
• Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.
CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK —See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 157.
ENSURE THAT THE CD IS SNAPPED ONTO THE SPINDLE
CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS
CHECK FOR HARDWARE INCOMPATIBILITIES —See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" on
page 95.
RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS —
See
"Dell Diagnostics" on page 67
.
CD and DVD drive problems
NOTE: High-speed CD or DVD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in
the drive or the CD or DVD.
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NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives.
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive
CLOSE OTHER PROGRAMS —The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the
stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Try closing all programs before you write to the CD/DVD-RW.
TURN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD/DVD-RW DISC —See "Standby Mode" on
page 29 or search for the keyword
standby
in the Windows Help and Support Center for information on power
management modes.
CHANGE THE WRITE SPEED TO A SLOWER RATE —See the help files for your CD or DVD creation software.
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray
1
Ensure that the computer is shut down.
2
Straighten a paper clip and insert one end into the eject hole at the front of the drive; push firmly until
the tray is partially ejected.
3
Gently pull out the tray until it stops.
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
• Ensure that the sound is not caused by the program that is running.
• Ensure that the disk or disc is inserted properly.
Hard drive problems
ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO COOL BEFORE TURNING IT ON —A hot hard drive may prevent the operating system
from starting. Try allowing the computer to return to room temperature before turning it on.
RUN CHECK DISK —
1
Click the
Start
button and click
My Computer
.
2
Right-click
Local Disk C:
.
3
Click
Properties
.
4
Click the
Tools
tab.
5
Under
Error-checking
, click
Check Now
.
6
Click
Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors
.
7
Click
Start
.
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
NOTE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only. The modem does not operate while it is connected to
a digital telephone network.
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CHECK THE MICROSOFT OUTLOOK® EXPRESS SECURITY SETTINGS —If you cannot open your e-mail
attachments:
1
In Outlook Express, click
Tools
, click
Options
, and then click
Security
.
2
Click
Do not allow attachments
to remove the checkmark.
CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION
CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK
CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK
USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE —
• Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem. (The jack has either a green label
or a connector-shaped icon next to it.)
• Ensure that you insert the telephone line connector into the modem until it clicks.
• Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone.
• If you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine, fax machine, surge
protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack.
If you are using a line that is 3 m (10 ft) or more in length, try a shorter one.
RUN THE MODEM HELPER DIAGNOSTICS —Click the Start button, point to All Programs and then click Modem
Helper. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems. (Modem Helper is not
available on all computers.)
VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS —
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Click
Printers and Other Hardware
.
3
Click
Phone and Modem Options
.
4
Click the
Modems
tab.
5
Click the COM port for your modem.
6
Click
Properties
, click the
Diagnostics
tab, and then click
Query Modem
to verify that the modem is
communicating with Windows.
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.
ENSURE THAT YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET —Ensure that you have subscribed to an Internet provider.
With the Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File. If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it, click the
checkmark to remove it and connect to the Internet. For help, contact your Internet service provider.
SCAN THE COMPUTER FOR SPYWARE —If you are experiencing slow computer performance, you frequently
receive pop-up advertisements, or you are having problems connecting to the Internet, your computer might be
infected with spyware. Use an anti-virus program that includes anti-spyware protection (your program may require
an upgrade) to scan the computer and remove spyware. For more information, go to support.dell.com and search for
the keyword
spyware
.
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Error Messages
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128) as you complete these
checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was
running when the message appeared.
AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE —The touch pad, track stick, or external mouse may be faulty. For an external mouse,
check the cable connection. Enable the Pointing Device option in the system setup program. If the problem persists,
contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
BAD COMMAND OR FILE NAME —Ensure that you have spelled the command correctly, put spaces in the proper
place, and used the correct pathname.
CACHE DISABLED DUE TO FAILURE —The primary cache internal to the microprocessor has failed.Contact Dell
(see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
CD DRIVE CONTROLLER FAILURE —The CD drive does not respond to commands from the computer (see "Dell
Support Utility" on page 70).
DATA ERROR —The hard drive cannot read the data (see "Dell Support Utility" on page 70).
DECREASING AVAILABLE MEMORY —One or more memory modules may be faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall
the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them (see "Memory" on page 106).
DISK C: FAILED INITIALIZATION —The hard drive failed initialization. Run the hard drive tests in the Dell
Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
DRIVE NOT READY —The operation requires a hard drive in the bay before it can continue. Install a hard drive in
the hard drive bay (see "Hard Drive" on page 117).
ERROR READING PCMCIA CARD —The computer cannot identify the PC Card. Reinsert the card or try another
PC Card (see "Using Cards" on page 55).
EXTENDED MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED —The amount of memory recorded in NVRAM does not match the
memory installed on your computer. If the error appears again, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
THE FILE BEING COPIED IS TOO LARGE FOR THE DESTINATION DRIVE —The file that you are trying to copy is too
large to fit on the disk, or the disk is too full. Try copying the file to a different disk or use a larger capacity disk.
A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS: \ / : * ? “ < > | — Do not use these
characters in filenames.
GATE A20 FAILURE —A memory module may be loose. Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace
them. See "Memory" on page 106.
GENERAL FAILURE —The operating system is unable to carry out the command. The message is usually followed by
specific information—for example, Printer out of paper. Take the appropriate action.
HARD-DISK DRIVE CONFIGURATION ERROR —The computer cannot identify the drive type. Shut down the
computer, remove the hard drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 117), and boot the computer from a CD. Then shut
down the computer, reinstall the hard drive, and restart the computer. Run the Hard-Disk Drive tests in the Dell
Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
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HARD-DISK DRIVE CONTROLLER FAILURE 0—The hard drive does not respond to commands from the computer.
Shut down the computer, remove the hard drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 117), and boot the computer from a CD.
Then shut down the computer, reinstall the hard drive, and restart the computer. If the problem persists, try another
drive. Run the Hard-Disk Drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
HARD-DISK DRIVE FAILURE —The hard drive does not respond to commands from the computer. Shut down the
computer, remove the hard drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 117), and boot the computer from a CD. Then shut
down the computer, reinstall the hard drive, and restart the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Run
the Hard-Disk Drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
HARD-DISK DRIVE READ FAILURE —The hard drive may be defective. Shut down the computer, remove the hard
drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 117), and boot the computer from a CD. Then shut down the computer, reinstall the
hard drive, and restart the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Run the Hard-Disk Drive tests in the
Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
INSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA —The operating system is trying to boot to a nonbootable CD. Insert a bootable CD.
INVALID CONFIGURATION INFORMATION-PLEASE RUN SYSTEM SETUP PROGRAM —The system configuration
information does not match the hardware configuration. The message is most likely to occur after a memory module
is installed. Correct the appropriate options in the system setup program (see "System Setup Program" on page 89).
KEYBOARD CLOCK LINE FAILURE —For external keyboards, check the cable connection. Run the Keyboard
Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
KEYBOARD CONTROLLER FAILURE —For external keyboards, check the cable connection. Restart the computer, and
avoid touching the keyboard or the mouse during the boot routine. Run the Keyboard Controller test in the Dell
Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
KEYBOARD DATA LINE FAILURE —For external keyboards, check the cable connection. Run the Keyboard
Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
KEYBOARD STUCK KEY FAILURE —For external keyboards or keypads, check the cable connection. Restart the
computer, and avoid touching the keyboard or keys during the boot routine. Run the Stuck Key test in the Dell
Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
LICENSED CONTENT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE IN MEDIADIRECT —Dell MediaDirect™ cannot verify the Digital Rights
Management (DRM) restrictions on the file, so the file cannot be played (see "Dell MediaDirect™ problems" on
page 79).
MEMORY ADDRESS LINE FAILURE AT ADDRESS, READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE —A memory module may be
faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them (see "Memory" on
page 106).
MEMORY ALLOCATION ERROR —The software you are attempting to run is conflicting with the operating system,
another program, or a utility. Shut down the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then restart it. Try to run the program
again. If the error message still appears, see the software documentation.
MEMORY DATA LINE FAILURE AT ADDRESS, READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE —A memory module may be faulty
or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 106) and, if necessary, replace them.
MEMORY DOUBLE WORD LOGIC FAILURE AT ADDRESS, READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE —A memory module may
be faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 106) and, if necessary, replace
them.
MEMORY ODD/EVEN LOGIC FAILURE AT ADDRESS, READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE —A memory module may be
faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 106) and, if necessary, replace
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them.
MEMORY WRITE/READ FAILURE AT ADDRESS, READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE —A memory module may be
faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 106) and, if necessary, replace
them.
NO BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE —The computer cannot find the hard drive. If the hard drive is your boot device,
ensure that the drive is installed, properly seated, and partitioned as a boot device.
NO BOOT SECTOR ON HARD DRIVE —The operating system may be corrupted. Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell"
on page 128).
NO TIMER TICK INTERRUPT —A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the
Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. EXIT SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY AGAIN —You have too many programs
open. Close all windows and open the program that you want to use.
OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND —Reinstall the hard drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 117). If the problem
persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
OPTIONAL ROM BAD CHECKSUM —The optional ROM apparently failed. Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on
page 128).
A REQUIRED .DLL FILE WAS NOT FOUND —The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file.
Remove and then reinstall the program.
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control Panel
.
2
Click
Add or Remove Programs
.
3
Select the program you want to remove.
4
Click
Remove
or
Change/Remove
and follow the prompts on the screen.
5
See the program documentation for installation instructions.
SECTOR NOT FOUND —The operating system cannot locate a sector on the hard drive. You may have a defective
sector or corrupted FAT on the hard drive. Run the Windows error-checking utility to check the file structure on the
hard drive. See the Help and Support Center (see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13) for instructions.
If a large number of sectors are defective, back up the data (if possible), and then reformat the hard drive.
SEEK ERROR —The operating system cannot find a specific track on the hard drive.
SHUTDOWN FAILURE —A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell
Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
TIME-OF-DAY CLOCK LOST POWER —System configuration settings are corrupted. Connect your computer to an
electrical outlet to charge the battery. If the problem persists, try to restore the data by entering the system setup
program. Then immediately exit the program. If the message reappears, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on
page 128).
TIME-OF-DAY CLOCK STOPPED —The reserve battery that supports the system configuration settings may require
recharging. Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the battery. If the problem persists, contact Dell
(see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
TIME-OF-DAY NOT SET-PLEASE RUN THE SYSTEM SETUP PROGRAM —The time or date stored in the system
setup program does not match the system clock. Correct the settings for the Date and Time options (see "System
Setup Program" on page 89).
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TIMER CHIP COUNTER 2 FAILED —A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in
the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
UNEXPECTED INTERRUPT IN PROTECTED MODE —The keyboard controller may be malfunctioning, or a memory
module may be loose. Run the System Memory tests and the Keyboard Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics (see
"Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
X:\ IS NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE DEVICE IS NOT READY —Insert a disk into the drive and try again.
WARNING: BATTERY IS CRITICALLY LOW —The battery is running out of charge. Replace the battery, or connect
the computer to an electrical outlet. Otherwise, activate hibernate mode or shut down the computer.
Keyboard Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128) as you perform the various
checks.
NOTE: Use the integrated keyboard when running Dell Diagnostics or the System Setup program.
External Keyboard problems
CHECK THE KEYBOARD CABLE —Shut down the computer. Disconnect the keyboard cable and check it for
damage, and firmly reconnect the cable.
If you are using a keyboard extension cable, disconnect it and connect the keyboard directly to the
computer.
CHECK THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD —
1
Shut down the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again.
2
Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink during the boot routine.
3
From the Windows desktop, click the
Start
button, point to
Programs
, point to
Accessories
, and click
Notepad
.
4
Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display.
If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external keyboard.
TO VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD, CHECK THE INTEGRATED KEYBOARD —
1
Shut down the computer.
2
Disconnect the external keyboard.
3
Turn on the computer.
4
From the Windows desktop, click the
Start
button, point to
Programs
, point to
Accessories
, and click
Notepad
.
5
Type some characters on the internal keyboard and verify that they appear on the display.
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If the characters appear now but did not with the external keyboard, you may have a defective external
keyboard. Contact Dell (see
"Contacting Dell" on page 128
).
RUN THE KEYBOARD DIAGNOSTICS TESTS —Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards tests in the Dell Diagnostics
(see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67). If the tests indicate a defective external keyboard, contact Dell (see "Contacting
Dell" on page 128).
Unexpected characters
DISABLE THE NUMERIC KEYPAD —Press <Num Lk> to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed
instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.
Lockups and Software Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
The computer does not start up
ENSURE THAT THE AC ADAPTER IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET.
The computer stops responding
NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.
TURN THE COMPUTER OFF —If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your
mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. Then restart your
computer.
A program stops responding
A program crashes repeatedly
NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD.
END THE PROGRAM —
1
Press <Ctrl><Shift><Del> simultaneously.
2
Click
Task Ma n a ger
.
3
Click the program that is no longer responding.
4
Click
End Task
.
CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION —If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system
RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD —The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so it
runs in an environment similar to non-Windows XP operating system environments.
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1
Click the
Start
button, point to
All Programs
→
Accessories
, and then click
Program Compatibility
Wizard
.
2
In the welcome screen, click
Next
.
3
Follow the instructions on the screen.
A solid blue screen appears
TURN THE COMPUTER OFF —If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your
mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. Then restart your
computer.
Dell MediaDirect™ problems
CHECK THE DELL MEDIADIRECT HELP FILE FOR INFORMATION —Click the ? icon at the bottom of the Dell
MediaDirect screen to access Help.
TO PLAY MOVIES WITH DELL MEDIADIRECT, YOU MUST HAVE A DVD DRIVE AND THE DELL DVD PLAYER —If
you purchased a DVD drive with your computer, this software should already be installed.
VIDEO QUALITY PROBLEMS —Turn off the Use Hardware Acceleration option. This feature takes advantage of the
special processing in some graphics cards to reduce processor requirements when playing DVDs and certain types of
video files.
CANNOT PLAY SOME MEDIA FILES —Because Dell MediaDirect provides access to media files outside the
Windows XP operating system environment, access to licensed content is restricted. Licensed content is digital
content that has Digital Rights Management (DRM) applied to it. The Dell MediaDirect environment cannot verify
the DRM restrictions, so the licensed files cannot be played. Licensed music and video files have a lock icon next to
them. You can access licensed files in the Windows XP operating system environment.
ADJUSTING THE COLOR SETTINGS FOR MOVIES THAT CONTAIN SCENES THAT ARE TOO DARK OR TOO BRIGHT —
Click EagleVision to use a video enhancement technology that detects video content and dynamically adjusts the
brightness/contrast/saturation ratios.
NOTICE: You cannot reinstall the Dell MediaDirect feature if you reformat the hard drive. Contact Dell for
assistance (see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
Other software problems
CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING
INFORMATION —
• Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer.
• Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software.
See the software documentation for information.
• Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly.
• Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.
• If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
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BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY.
USE A VIRUS-SCANNING PROGRAM TO CHECK THE HARD DRIVE, FLOPPY DISKS, OR CDS.
SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE Start MENU.
SCAN THE COMPUTER FOR SPYWARE —If you are experiencing slow computer performance, you frequently
receive pop-up advertisements, or you are having problems connecting to the Internet, your computer might be
infected with spyware. Use an anti-virus program that includes anti-spyware protection (your program may require
an upgrade) to scan the computer and remove spyware. For more information, go to support.dell.com and search for
the keyword
spyware
.
RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS —See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67. If all tests run successfully, the error condition
is related to a software problem.
Memory Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128) as you complete these
checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
IF YOU RECEIVE AN INSUFFICIENT MEMORY MESSAGE —
• Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the
problem.
• See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements. If necessary, install additional
memory (s
ee
"Memory" on page 106)
.
• Reseat the memory modules (s
ee
"Memory" on page 106)
to ensure that your computer is successfully
communicating with the memory.
• Run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
IF YOU EXPERIENCE OTHER MEMORY PROBLEMS —
• Reseat the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 106) to ensure that your computer is successfully
communicating with the memory.
• Ensure that you are following the memory installation guidelines (s
ee
"Memory" on page 106
)
.
• Run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
Network Problems
Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128 as you complete these checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
General
CHECK THE NETWORK CABLE CONNECTOR —Ensure that the network cable is firmly inserted into both the
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network connector on the back of the computer and the network connector.
CHECK THE NETWORK LIGHTS ON THE NETWORK CONNECTOR —No light indicates that no network
communication exists. Replace the network cable.
RESTART THE COMPUTER AND LOG ON TO THE NETWORK AGAIN.
CHECK YOUR NETWORK SETTINGS —Contact your network administrator or the person who set up your network
to verify that your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning.
Mobile Broadband Network
NOTE: The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility user’s guide is located under Help and Support. You can also
download the user’s guide from support.dell.com.
NOTE: The icon appears in the notification area if the computer has a Dell Mobile Broadband card installed.
Double-click the icon to launch the utility.
CANNOT CONNECT —The Dell Mobile Broadband Card must be activated on the network in order to connect.
Position the mouse over the icon in the notification area to read the status of the connection. If the status
indicates the mobile broadband card is not activated, see "Activate your Mobile Broadband card" on page 81 for more
information. If problems persist, contact your Mobile Broadband service carrier for details on your plan.
CHECK YOUR MOBILE BROADBAND NETWORK SERVICE —Contact your Mobile Broadband service carrier to verify
coverage plan and supported services.
CHECK THE STATUS IN THE DELL MOBILE BROADBAND CARD UTILITY —Click the icon in the taskbar to
launch the utility. Check the status in the main window:
•
No card detected
– Restart the computer and launch the utility again.
•
Wireless Disabled
– Ensure that the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ switch is in the "on" position.
Additionally, right-click the
icon and ensure that the switch is enabled.
•
Searching
– The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility has not yet located a Mobile Broadband
network. If the searching state persists, ensure that the signal strength is adequate.
•
No service
– The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility did not locate a Mobile Broadband network.
Ensure that the signal strength is adequate. Restart the Dell wireless utility or contact your Mobile
Broadband network provider.
•
Check your WWAN service
– Contact your Mobile Broadband network service provider to verify
coverage plan and supported services.
ACTIVATE YOUR MOBILE BROADBAND CARD —Before you connect to the Internet, you must activate the Mobile
Broadband service through your cellular service provider. For instructions and for additional information about using
the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility, see the user's guide available through the Windows Help and Support
Center. To access the Help and Support Center, see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13. The user's
guide is also available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com and on the CD included with your Mobile
Broadband card if you purchased the card separately from your computer.
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PC Card or ExpressCard Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
CHECK THE CARD —Ensure that the card is properly inserted into the connector.
ENSURE THAT THE CARD IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS —Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the
Windows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listed.
IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A DELL-PROVIDED CARD —Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A CARD NOT PROVIDED BY DELL —Contact the PC Card manufacturer.
Power Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128) as you complete these
checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
CHECK THE POWER LIGHT —When the power light is lit or blinking, the computer has power. If the power light is
blinking, the computer is in standby mode—press the power button to exit standby mode. If the light is off, press the
power button to turn on the computer.
CHARGE THE BATTERY —The battery charge may be depleted.
1
Reinstall the battery.
2
Use the AC adapter to connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
3
Turn on the computer.
NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on how
often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during
the life of your computer.
CHECK THE BATTERY STATUS LIGHT —If the battery status light flashes orange or is a steady orange the battery
charge is low or depleted. Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
If the battery status light flashes green and orange, the battery is too hot to charge. Shut down the
computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet, and then let the battery and computer
cool to room temperature.
If the battery status light rapidly flashes orange, the battery may be defective. Contact Dell (see
"Contacting Dell" on page 128).
CHECK THE BATTERY TEMPERATURE —If the battery temperature is below 0° C (32° F), the computer will not start
up.
TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET —Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such
as a lamp.
CHECK THE AC ADAPTER —Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the AC adapter has a light, ensure that
the light is on.
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CONNECT THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET —Bypass power protection devices, power strips,
and the extension cable to verify that the computer turns on.
ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE —Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, or other
appliances.
ADJUST THE POWER PROPERTIES —See "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 31.
RESEAT THE MEMORY MODULES —If the computer power light turns on but the display remains blank, reinstall
the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 106).
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer
Your computer is designed to use a 65-W or 90-W AC adapter. However, for optimum system
performance, you should always use a 90-W adapter.
Using less-powerful AC adapters, including the 65-W AC adapter, will cause you to receive a WARNING
message.
Docking Power Considerations
Due to the extra power consumption when a computer is docked to the Dell D/Dock, normal computer
operation is not possible on battery power alone. Ensure that the AC adapter is connected to your
computer when the computer is docked to the Dell D/Dock.
Docking While the Computer Is Running
If a computer is connected to the Dell D/Dock or Dell D/Port while the computer is running, presence of
the docking device is ignored until the AC adapter is connected to the computer.
AC Power Loss While the Computer Is Docked
If a computer loses AC power while docked to the Dell D/Dock or Dell D/Port, the computer
immediately goes into low-performance mode.
Printer Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128)as you complete these
checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer’s manufacturer.
ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON.
CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS —
• See the printer documentation for cable connection information.
• Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer.
TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET —Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such
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as a lamp.
VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS —
1
Click the
Start
button, click
Control Panel
, and then click
Printers and Other Hardware
.
2
Click
View installed printers or fax printers
.
If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.
3
Click
Properties
and click the
Ports
tab. For a parallel printer (connected through a docking station),
ensure that the
Print to the following port(s):
setting is
LPT1 (Printer Port)
. For a USB printer, ensure
that the
Print to the following port(s):
setting is
USB
.
REINSTALL THE PRINTER DRIVER —See the printer documentation for instructions
Scanner Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your scanner, contact the scanner’s manufacturer.
CHECK THE SCANNER DOCUMENTATION —See the scanner documentation for setup and troubleshooting
information.
UNLOCK THE SCANNER —Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a locking tab or button.
RESTART THE COMPUTER AND TRY THE SCANNER AGAIN.
CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS —
• See the scanner documentation for cable connection information.
• Ensure that the scanner cables are securely connected to the scanner and the computer.
VERIFY THAT THE SCANNER IS RECOGNIZED BY MICROSOFT WINDOWS —
1
Click the
Start
button, click
Control Panel
, and then click
Printers and Other Hardware
.
2
Click
Scanners and Cameras
.
If your scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner.
REINSTALL THE SCANNER DRIVER —See the scanner documentation for instructions.
Sound and Speaker Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128) as you complete these
checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
No sound from integrated speakers
ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL —Double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your
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screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted. Adjust the volume, bass, or treble
controls to eliminate distortion.
ADJUST THE VOLUME USING KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS —Press <Fn><End> to disable (mute) or reenable the
integrated speakers.
REINSTALL THE SOUND (AUDIO) DRIVER —See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 94.
No sound from external speakers
ENSURE THAT THE SUBWOOFER AND THE SPEAKERS ARE TURNED ON —See the setup diagram supplied with the
speakers. If your speakers have volume controls, adjust the volume, bass, or treble to eliminate distortion.
ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL —Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of
your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.
DISCONNECT HEADPHONES FROM THE HEADPHONE CONNECTOR —Sound from the speakers is automatically
disabled when headphones are connected to the computer’s front-panel headphone connector.
TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET —Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such
as a lamp.
ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE —Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for
interference.
REINSTALL THE AUDIO DRIVER —
See
"Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 94.
RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS —See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67.
NOTE: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume setting. If you have been listening
to MP3 songs, ensure that you did not turn the player volume down or off.
No sound from headphones
CHECK THE HEADPHONE CABLE CONNECTION —Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted into the
headphone connector.
ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL —Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of
your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
CHECK THE TOUCH PAD SETTINGS —
1
Click the
Start
button, click
Control Panel
, and then click
Printers and Other Hardware
.
2
Click
Mouse
.
3
Try adjusting the settings.
CHECK THE MOUSE CABLE —Shut down the computer. Disconnect the mouse cable, check it for damage, and
firmly reconnect the cable.
If you are using a mouse extension cable, disconnect it and connect the mouse directly to the computer.
TO VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MOUSE, CHECK THE TOUCH PAD —
1
Shut down the computer.
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2
Disconnect the mouse.
3
Turn on the computer.
4
At the Windows
desktop, use the touch pad to move the cursor around, select an icon, and open it.
If the touch pad operates correctly, the mouse may be defective.
CHECK THE SYSTEM SETUP PROGRAM SETTINGS —Verify that the system setup program (see "System Setup
Program" on page 89) lists the correct device for the pointing device option. (The computer automatically recognizes
a USB mouse without making any setting adjustments.)
TEST THE MOUSE CONTROLLER —To test the mouse controller (which affects pointer movement) and the
operation of the touch pad or mouse buttons, run the Mouse test in the Pointing Devices test group in the Dell
Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67).
REINSTALL THE TOUCH PAD DRIVER —See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 94.
Video and Display Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 67) as you complete these checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
If the display is blank
NOTE: If you are using a program that requires a higher resolution than your computer supports, it is
recommended that you attach an external monitor to your computer.
CHECK THE BATTERY —If you are using a battery to power your computer, the battery charge may be depleted.
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet using the AC adapter, and turn on the computer.
TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET —Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such
as a lamp.
CHECK THE AC ADAPTER —Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the AC adapter has a light, ensure that
the light is on.
CONNECT THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET —Bypass power protection devices, power strips,
and the extension cable to verify that the computer turns on.
ADJUST THE POWER PROPERTIES —Search for the keyword
standby
in the Windows Help and Support Center
(see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13).
SWITCH THE VIDEO IMAGE —If your computer is attached to an external monitor, press <Fn><F8> to switch
the video image to the display.
If the display is difficult to read
ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS —Press <Fn> and the up- or down-arrow key
MOVE THE EXTERNAL SUBWOOFER AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER OR MONITOR —If your external speaker system
includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the computer or external monitor.
ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE —Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, or other
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appliances.
ROTATE THE COMPUTER TO FACE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION —Eliminate sunlight glare, which can cause poor
picture quality.
ADJUST THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SETTINGS —
1
Click the
Start
button and then click
Control Panel
.
2
Click
Appearance and Themes
.
3
Click the area you want to change or click the
Display
icon.
4
Try different settings for
Color quality
and
Screen resolution
.
RUN THE VIDEO DIAGNOSTICS TESTS —If no error message appears and you still have a display problem, but the
display is not completely blank, run the Video device group in the Dell Diagnostics. Then contact Dell (see
"Contacting Dell" on page 128).
SEE "ERROR MESSAGES"—If an error message appears, see "Error Messages" on page 74.
If only part of the display is readable
CONNECT AN EXTERNAL MONITOR —
1
Shut down your computer and connect an external monitor to the computer.
2
Turn on the computer and the monitor and adjust the monitor brightness and contrast controls.
If the external monitor works, the computer display or video controller may be defective. Contact Dell
(see "Contacting Dell" on page 128).
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System Setup Program
Overview
NOTE: Your operating system may automatically configure most of the options available in system setup, thus
overriding options that you set through system setup. (An exception is the External Hot Key option, which you can
disable or enable only through system setup.) For more information on configuring features for your operating
system, see the Help and Support Center. See "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13.
You can use system setup as follows:
• To set or change user-selectable features—for example, your computer password
• To verify information about the computer's current configuration, such as the amount of system
memory
After you set up the computer, run system setup to familiarize yourself with your system configuration
information and optional settings. You may want to write down the information for future reference.
The system setup screens display the current setup information and settings for your computer, such as:
• System configuration
• Boot order
• Boot (start-up) configuration and docking-device configuration settings
• Basic device-configuration settings
• System security and hard-drive password settings
NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user or are directed to do so by Dell technical support, do not change
the system setup settings. Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly.
Viewing the System Setup Screens
1
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> 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 and try
again.
System Setup Screens
In System Setup, primary categories of settings are listed on the left. To view the types of settings in a
category, highlight the category and press <Enter>. When you highlight a setting type, the right side of
the screen displays the value for that setting type. You can change settings that appear as white type on
the screen. Values that you cannot change (because they are determined by the computer) appear less
bright.
System-setup key functions are listed across the bottom of the screen.
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Commonly Used Settings
Certain settings require that you reboot the computer for new settings to take effect.
Changing the Boot Sequence
The boot sequence tells the computer where to look to find the software needed to start the operating
system. You can control the boot sequence and enable/disable devices using the Boot Sequence page,
which is located in the System category.
NOTE: To change the boot sequence on a one-time-only basis, see "Performing a One-Time Boot" on page 90.
The Boot Sequence page displays a general list of the bootable devices that may be installed in your
computer, including but not limited to the following:
•Diskette Drive
•Modular bay HDD
• Internal HDD
•CD/DVD/CD-RW drive
During the boot routine, the computer starts at the top of the list and scans each enabled device for the
operating system start-up files. When the computer finds the files, it stops searching and starts the
operating system.
To control the boot devices, select (highlight) a device by pressing the down-arrow or up-arrow key, and
then enable or disable the device or change its order in the list.
• To enable or disable a device, highlight the item and press the space bar. Enabled items appear as white
and display a small triangle to the left; disabled items appear blue or dimmed without a triangle.
• To reorder a device in the list, highlight the device and then press <u> or <d> (not case-sensitive) to
move the highlighted device up or down.
Boot sequence changes take effect as soon as you save the changes and exit system setup.
Performing a One-Time Boot
You can set a one-time-only boot sequence without entering system setup. (You can also use this
procedure to boot the Dell Diagnostics on the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive.)
1
Shut down the computer through the
Start
menu.
2
If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that
came with your docking device for instructions.
3
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
4
Turn on 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 and try again.
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5
When the boot device list appears, highlight the device from which you want to boot and press
<Enter>.
The computer boots to the selected device.
The next time you reboot the computer, the previous boot order is restored.
Changing COM Ports
Serial Port, which is located in the Onboard Devices category, allows you to map the serial port COM
address or disable the serial port and its address, which frees computer resources for another device to
use.
Enabling the Infrared Sensor
1
Locate
Fast IR
under
Onboard Devices
.
NOTE: Ensure that the COM port that you select is different from the COM port assigned to the serial connector.
2
Press <Enter>.
3
Use the arrow keys to select the infrared COM port setting.
4
Press <Enter>.
5
Follow the instructions on the screen.
After you enable the infrared sensor, you can use it to establish a link to an infrared device. To set up and
use an infrared device, see the infrared device documentation and the Windows XP Help and Support
Center (see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 13).
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Template Last Updated - 7/01/2005 Reinstalling Software 93
Reinstalling Software
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD and the Operating System CD are optional and may not ship with your
computer.
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.
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.
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If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new
driver.
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and the optional 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.
Using the Optional Drivers and Utilities CD
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer.
If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore does not resolve the problem, then reinstall the driver
from the Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD).
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.
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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
NOTE: If you are reinstalling an infrared sensor driver, you must first enable the infrared sensor in system setup
(see "Enabling the Infrared Sensor" on page 91) before continuing with the driver installation.
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
on the desktop.
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.
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:
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.
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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.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover
them.
NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not work if you
set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view.
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.
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
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.
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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
.
Enabling System Restore
If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is
automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled:
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Control
Panel
.
2
Click
Performance and Maintenance
.
3
Click
System
.
4
Click the
System Restore
tab.
5
Ensure that
Turn off System Restore
is unchecked.
Using the Operating System CD
NOTICE: You must use Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later when you reinstall Windows XP.
Before You Begin
If you are considering reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem with a newly
installed driver, first try using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback. See "Using Windows XP Device
Driver Rollback" on page 94. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use
System
Restore
to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new
device driver. See "Using Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore" on page 96.
To reinstall Windows XP, you need the following items:
•Dell™
Operating System
CD
•Dell
Drivers and Utilities
CD
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD contains drivers that were installed during assembly of the computer. Use the
Drivers and Utilities CD to load any required, including the drivers required if your computer has a RAID controller.
drivers. Depending
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Reinstalling Windows XP
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you
must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.
NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP. The options can overwrite files
and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell
technical support representative instructs you to do so.
1
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Operating System
CD. Click
Exit
if the
Install Windows XP
message appears.
3
Restart the computer.
4
Press <F12> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.
If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut down the
computer and try again.
5
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
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