Novatel Wireless NRM-EU860D Dual Band Licensed Modular Transmitter User Manual book

Novatel Wireless, Inc. Dual Band Licensed Modular Transmitter book

User Manual Vostro 1

www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ Vostro™ 1500 Owner’s Manual
Model PP22L
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.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2007 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, Vostro,Wi-Fi Catcher, and Dell MediaDirect are
trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel is a registered trademark and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation;
Microsoft,Windows, and Windows Vista are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by
Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming
the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and
trade names other than its own.
Model PP22L
May 2007 P/N TT979 Rev. A00
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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Template Last Updated - 1/7/2007 Contents 3
1 Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2 About Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration . . . . . . 19
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Left Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Right Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Back View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3 Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Setting Up Your Internet Connection . . . . . . . . 34
Transferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . 35
Windows Easy Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Setting Up a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Printer Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Connecting a USB Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Power Protection Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Surge Protectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Line Conditioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Uninterruptible Power Supplies . . . . . . . . . . 38
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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4Contents
4 Using the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Adjusting Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display To a
Projector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate . . . . . . 39
5 Using the Keyboard and Touchpad . . . . . 41
Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Key Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
System Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Display Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions . . . 43
Dell™ QuickSet Key Combinations . . . . . . . . . 43
Adjusting Keyboard Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Customizing the Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6 Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Checking the Battery Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Microsoft® Windows® Battery Meter . . . . . . . 49
Charge Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Low-Battery Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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Template Last Updated - 1/7/2007 Contents 5
Conserving Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Configuring Power Management Settings . . . . . 50
Using the Sleep Power State . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Replacing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Storing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
7 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Playing Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Copying CD and DVD Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
How to Copy a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Using Blank CD and DVD Media . . . . . . . . . . 57
Helpful Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Adjusting the Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Adjusting the Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Using Dell MediaDirect™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device . . 61
S-Video and Standard Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio . . . . . . . . . 64
Composite Video and Standard Audio . . . . . . . 66
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio . . . . 68
Component Video and Standard Audio . . . . . . 70
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio . . . . 72
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV . . . . . . . 75
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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6Contents
8 Using ExpressCards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
ExpressCard Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Installing an ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank . . . . . . . . . . . 79
9 Using the Memory Card Reader . . . . . . . 81
Memory Card Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Installing a Memory Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Removing a Memory Card or Blank . . . . . . . . . . . 83
10 Setting Up and Using Networks . . . . . . . 85
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable . . 85
Setting Up a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Wireless Local Area Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection .86
Checking Your Wireless Network Card . . . . . . 87
Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a
Broadband Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Connecting to a WLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network) .90
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network
Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card . . . . 91
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network . . . 92
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card 93
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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Template Last Updated - 1/7/2007 Contents 7
Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator . . . . . . . . . 93
11 Securing Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Security Cable Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen . . . . . . . . . . . 96
12 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Dell Technical Update Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Dell Support Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Optical drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Hard drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . . . . . . . . 106
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
ExpressCard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
IEEE 1394 Device Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Keyboard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
External Keyboard problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Unexpected characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
The computer does not start . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
The computer stops responding . . . . . . . . . . 115
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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8Contents
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly 116
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows®
operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Dell MediaDirect problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Other software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN]) 119
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Printer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Scanner Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Sound and Speaker Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
No sound from integrated speakers . . . . . . . . 123
No sound from external speakers . . . . . . . . . 123
No sound from headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Video and Display Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
If the display is blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
If the display is difficult to read . . . . . . . . . . 125
If only part of the display is readable . . . . . . . 126
Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
What Is a Driver? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities . . . . . . . . . . 127
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems . . 130
Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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Template Last Updated - 1/7/2007 Contents 9
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore . . . . 131
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec . . . . . . . . 131
Using the Operating System Media . . . . . . . . 134
13 Adding and Replacing Parts . . . . . . . . . 137
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Before Working Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . 138
Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Removing the Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Replacing the Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Removing the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Replacing the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Hinge Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Removing the Hinge Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Replacing the Hinge Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Removing the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Replacing the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Removing the DIMM A Memory Module . . . . . 147
Replacing the DIMM A Memory Module . . . . . 148
Removing the DIMM B Memory Module . . . . . 149
Replacing the DIMM B Memory Module . . . . . 151
Subscriber Identity Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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10 Contents
Wireless Mini Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Removing a WLAN Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Replacing a WLAN Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Removing a Mobile Broadband or WWAN Card . . 157
Replacing a WWAN Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Removing a WPAN Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Replacing a WPAN Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Flash Cache Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Removing the FCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Replacing the FCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology . 164
Removing the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Replacing the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . 166
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . 166
14 Dell™ QuickSet Features . . . . . . . . . . . 167
15 Traveling With Your Computer . . . . . . . . 169
Identifying Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Packing the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Traveling by Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
16 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Obtaining Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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Template Last Updated - 1/7/2007 Contents 11
Technical Support and Customer Service . . . . . 172
DellConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Automated Order-Status Service . . . . . . . . . 173
Problems With Your Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Product Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . 174
Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
17 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
18 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Using the System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Viewing the System Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . 190
System Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Commonly Used Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Cleaning Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Computer, Keyboard, and Display . . . . . . . . . 192
Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . 194
Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals 195
Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals 195
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's
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12 Contents
FCC Notice (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
FCC Class B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Macrovision Product Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Glossary 197
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Finding Information 13
Finding Information
NOTE: Some features may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some
features 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
• Device documentation
• Notebook System Software (NSS)
Drivers and Utilities Media
Documentation and drivers are already
installed on your computer. You can use
the Drivers and Utilities media to
reinstall drivers (see "Reinstalling Drivers
and Utilities" on page 127) or run the
Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics"
on page 99).
Readme files may be included on your
Drivers and Utilities media 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.
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• How to set up my computer
Setup Diagram
14 Finding Information
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
•Microsoft
®
Windows
®
Product Key
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows
Product Key
These labels are located on your
computer.
• Use the Service Tag to identify your
computer when you use
support.dell.com
or contact support.
• Enter the Express Service Code to
direct your call when contacting
support.
NOTE: As an increased security measure,
the newly designed Microsoft Windows
license label incorporates a "security
portal," which looks like a missing portion
of the label, to discourage removal of the
label.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
Finding Information 15
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and
tips, articles from technicians, online
courses, and frequently asked questions
• Community — Online discussion with
other Dell customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for
components, such as the memory, hard
drive, and operating system
• Customer Care — Contact
information, service call and order
status, and warranty and repair
information
• Service and support — Service call
status, support history, service contract,
and online discussions with support
• Dell Technical Update Service —
Proactive e-mail notification of software
and hardware updates for your
computer
• 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 on
your computer, you should also reinstall
the NSS utility. NSS automatically
detects your computer and operating
system, and installs the updates
appropriate for your configuration,
providing critical updates for your
operating system and support for Dell
3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel
®
processors, optical drives, and USB
devices. NSS is necessary for correct
operation of your Dell computer.
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region or business
segment to view the appropriate support
site.
To download Notebook System Software:
1
Go to
support.dell.com
, select your
country/region, and then click
Drivers
& Downloads
.
2
Enter your Service Tag or product
model, and then click
Go
.
3
Select your operating system and
language, and then click
Find
Downloads
, or under
Downloads
Search
, search for the keyword
Notebook System Software
.
NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface
may vary depending on your selections.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
16 Finding Information
• 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 on the taskbar. For more information,
see "Dell Support Utility
" on page 103
.
• How to use Microsoft Windows Vista™
• How to work with programs and files
• How to personalize my desktop
Windows Help and Support
1
Click the Windows Vista Start button
, and then click
Help and Support
.
2
In Search Help, type a word or phrase
that describes your problem, and then
press <Enter> or click the magnifying
glass.
3
Click the topic that describes your
problem.
4
Follow the instructions on the screen.
• 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 Dell QuickSet icon in the Windows
notification area.
For more information on Dell QuickSet,
see "Dell™ QuickSet Features" on
page 167.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
Finding Information 17
• How to reinstall my operating system
Operating System Media
The operating system is already installed
on your computer. To reinstall your
operating system, use one of the
following methods:
• Microsoft Windows System Restore —
Microsoft Windows System Restore
returns your computer to an earlier
operating state without affecting data
files.
• Dell PC Restore — Dell PC Restore
returns your computer to its original
operating state. Dell PC Restore may
not ship with your computer.
• Operating System Installation Media —
If you received operating system media
with your computer, you can use it to
restore your operating system.
For more information, see "Restoring
Your Operating System" on page 130.
After you reinstall your operating system,
use the Drivers and Utilities media to
reinstall drivers for the devices that came
with your computer.
Your operating system product key label is
located on your computer.
NOTE: The color of your operating system
installation media varies according to the
operating system you ordered.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
18 Finding Information
Template Last Updated - 2/7/2007 About Your Computer 19
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 4/2/07 - FOR PROOF ONLY
About Your Computer
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration
Based on selections that you made when purchasing your computer, your
computer has one of several different video controller configurations. To
determine your computer’s video controller configuration:
1Click
Start
, and then click
Help and Support
.
2
Under
Pick a Task
, click
Use Tools to view your computer information and
diagnose problems.
3
Under
My Computer Information
, select
Hardware
.
From the My Computer Information - Hardware screen, you can view the
type of video controller installed in your computer, as well as the other
hardware components.
20 About Your Computer
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's Gate\OM\A00\EN\LionsGate_OM_A00\Source\about.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 4/2/07 - FOR PROOF ONLY
Front View
1 camera indicator (optional) 2 camera (optional)
3 display latch 4 display
5 power button 6 keyboard
7 device status lights 8 touch pad
9 consumer IR 10 media control buttons
11 touch pad buttons 12 Dell™ MediaDirect™ button
13 keyboard status lights 14 digital array microphones
4
5
13
3
6
12
8
7
14
2
1
11 9
10
About Your Computer 21
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's Gate\OM\A00\EN\LionsGate_OM_A00\Source\about.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 4/2/07 - FOR PROOF ONLY
CAMERA INDICATOR —Indicates that the camera is on. Based on configuration
selections you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a
camera.
CAMERA —Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat. Based on
configuration selections you made when ordering your computer, your computer may
not include a camera.
DISPLAY LATCH —Keeps the display closed.
DISPLAY —For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on
page 39.
POWER BUTTON —Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power
management mode (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 50).
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 (may take several seconds).
KEYBOARD —For more information about the keyboard, see "Using the Keyboard and
Touchpad" on page 41.
22 About Your Computer
FILE LOCATION: S:\systems\Lion's Gate\OM\A00\EN\LionsGate_OM_A00\Source\about.fm
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 4/2/07 - FOR PROOF ONLY
DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS
The blue lights located to the right of the keyboard indicate the following:
Power light – Turns on when you turn on the computer, and blinks when
the computer is in a power management mode.
Hard drive activity light – 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.
Battery status light – Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge
status.
WiFi status light – Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To
enable or disable wireless networking, use the wireless switch (see "wireless
switch" on page 25).
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If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:
– Solid blue: The battery is charging.
– Flashing blue: The battery is almost fully charged.
– Off: The battery is adequately charged.
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 amber: The battery charge is low.
– Solid
amber
: The battery charge is critically low.
TOUCH PAD —Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad" on page 43).
TOUCH PAD BUTTONS —Use these buttons much like the buttons on a mouse when
you use the touch pad to move the cursor on the display (see "Touch Pad" on page 43).
MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS —Control CD, DVD, and Media Player playback.
Bluetooth® status light – Turns on when a card with Bluetooth wireless
technology is enabled.
NOTE: The card with Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature.
The light turns on only if you ordered the card with your computer. For
more information, see the documentation that came with your card.
To turn off only the Bluetooth wireless technology functionality, right-click
the icon in the notification area, and then click Disable Bluetooth
Radio.
To quickly enable or disable all wireless devices, use the wireless switch
(see "wireless switch" on page 25).
Mute the sound. Play the previous track.
Turn the volume down. Play the next track.
Turn the volume up. Stop.
Play or pause.
24 About Your Computer
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DELL™ MEDIADIRECT™BUTTON —Press the Dell MediaDirect button to launch
Dell MediaDirect (see "Using Dell MediaDirect™" on page 60).
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS
The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
DIGITAL ARRAY MICROPHONES —Built-in microphone for conferencing and chat.
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
Turns on when the uppercase letter (caps lock) function is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
9
A
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Left Side View
SECURITY CABLE SLOT —Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device
to the computer (see "Security Cable Lock" on page 95).
WIRELESS SWITCH —When enabled through Dell QuickSet, this switch can scan for
a wireless local area network (WLAN) in your vicinity. You can also use it to rapidly
turn off or on any wireless devices such as WLAN cards and internal cards with
Bluetooth wireless technology (see "Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on
page 93).
1 security cable slot 2 wireless switch
3 Wi-Fi Catcher light 4 air vents
5 audio connectors 6 ExpressCard slot
12563 4
1 2 3 4
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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.
AIR VENTS —The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents,
which prevents the computer from overheating. The computer turns the fan on when
the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the
fan or the computer.
AUDIO CONNECTORS
1off Disables wireless devices.
2on Enables wireless devices.
3momentary Scans for WLAN networks (see "Dell Wi-Fi
Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 93).
4Wi-Fi Catcher light
• Flashing green: Searching for networks
• Solid green: Strong network found
• Solid yellow: Weak network found
• Flashing yellow: Error
• Off: No signal found
Attach headphones to the connector.
Attach a microphone to the connector.
About Your Computer 27
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EXPRESSCARD SLOT —Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a
plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see "Using ExpressCards" on
page 77.
Right Side View
OPTICAL DRIVE —For more information about the optical drive, see "Using
Multimedia" on page 55.
EJECT BUTTON —Press the eject button to open the optical drive.
8-IN-1 MEMORY CARD READER —Provides a fast and convenient way to view and
share digital photos, music, and videos stored on a memory card. The computer ships
with a plastic blank installed in the slot. The 8-in-1 memory card reader reads the
following digital memory cards:
• Secure Digital (SD) memory card
• SDIO card
• MultiMediaCard (MMC)
• Memory Stick
• Memory Stick PRO
• xD-Picture Card
1 battery status light 2 hard drive activity light
3 power light 4 optical drive
5 eject button 6 8-in-1 memory card reader
7 IEEE 1394 connector 8 video connector (VGA)
9 network connector (RJ-45) 10 USB connectors (2)
4 6 7 910
85
123
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• Hi Speed-SD
• Hi Density-SD
IEEE 1394 CONNECTOR —Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed
transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.
VIDEO CONNECTOR
NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
USB CONNECTORS
Connects video devices, such as a monitor.
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.
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or
printer.
About Your Computer 29
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Back View
S-VIDEO TV-OUT CONNECTOR
USB CONNECTORS
AC ADAPTER CONNECTOR —Attaches an AC adapter to the computer. The AC
adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can
connect the AC adapter with your computer turned on or off.
NOTE: If your computer has the discrete video configuration, you must use the
90 W AC adapter that is shipped with your computer. Using the incorrect AC adapter
will prevent optimal system performance and produce a BIOS warning.
NOTE: Ensure the power cord is firmly attached to the AC adapter. A green LED
light on the AC adapter indicates a proper connection.
1 S-video TV-out connector 2 USB connectors (2)
3 AC adapter connector 4 battery
5 modem connector (RJ-11)
Connects your computer to a TV. Also connects digital
audio-capable devices using the TV/digital audio
adapter cable.
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or
printer.
1 2 354
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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 help prevent damage to
the cable.
MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)
Connect the telephone line to the modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online
modem documentation supplied with your computer.
About Your Computer 31
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Bottom View
LEFT SPEAKER —To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker, press the volume
control buttons or the mute button.
MEMORY MODULE/COIN-CELL BATTERY COMPARTMENT —Compartment that
contains the DIMM B memory module and the coin-cell battery. For additional
information, see "Adding and Replacing Parts" on page 137.
CONSUMER IR — Receives the signal from the Dell travel remote controller for basic
1 left speaker 2 memory module/coin-cell battery
compartment
3 consumer IR 4 right speaker
5 wireless mini card compartment 6 battery
7 battery charge/health gauge 8 battery-bay latch releases (2)
9 fan 10 hard drive
234
10
7
1
6
8
9
5
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multimedia navigation control.
RIGHT SPEAKER —To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker, press the volume
control buttons or the mute button.
WIRELESS MINI CARD COMPARTMENT —Compartment for wireless Mini Cards
(WLAN, WWAN, or WPAN), or a Flash Cache Module (FCM) (see "Wireless Mini
Cards" on page 153 and "Flash Cache Module" on page 162).
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 47).
BATTERY CHARGE/HEALTH GAUGE —Provides information on the battery charge (see
"Checking the Battery Charge" on page 48).
BATTERY-BAY LATCH RELEASES —Releases the battery (see "Replacing the Battery"
on page 52 for instructions).
FAN —The computer uses a fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents
the computer from overheating. The computer turns the fan on when the computer
gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the
computer.
HARD DRIVE —Stores software and data.
Setting Up Your Computer 33
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.
To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an
Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP will offer one or more of the
following Internet connection options:
• DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your
existing telephone line or cellular telephone service. With a DSL
connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the
same line simultaneously.
• Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access
through your local cable TV line.
• Satellite modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access
through a satellite television system.
• Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line.
Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL, cable, and satellite
modem connections.
• Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) or Mobile Broadband technology
provides a connection to the Internet using cellular technology at
broadband rates.
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connections use high-frequency
radio waves to communicate. Typically, a wireless router is connected to
the broadband cable or DSL modem that broadcasts the Internet signal to
your computer.
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem
connector on your computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up
your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL, cable, or satellite modem
connection, contact your ISP or cellular telephone service for setup
instructions.
34 Setting Up Your Computer
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
desktop.
3
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem,
and Internet Problems" on page 106. If you cannot connect to the Internet, but have
successfully connected in the past, the ISP may have a service outage. Contact
your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.
NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to
the Internet wizard can help you obtain one.
If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an
Internet connection with a different ISP:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Click
Start
, and then click
Control Panel
.
3
Under
Network and Internet
, click
Connect to the Internet
.
The
Connect to the Internet
window appears.
4
Click either
Broadband (PPPoE)
,
Wireless
, or
Dial-up
, depending on how
you want to connect:
• Choose
Broadband
if you will use a DSL modem, cable TV modem, or
satellite modem.
• Choose
Wireless
if you will use a wireless connection through a
WLAN card.
• Choose
Dial-up
if you will use a dial-up modem or ISDN.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me
choose or contact your ISP.
5
Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information
provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
Setting Up Your Computer 35
Transferring Information to a New Computer
You can transfer the following types of data from one computer to another:
• E-mail messages
• Toolbar settings
•Window sizes
• Internet bookmarks
Use one of the following methods for transferring data:
• Windows Easy Transfer wizard, an Easy Transfer Cable, and a USB port
• Over a network
• Removable media, such as a writable CD
Windows Easy Transfer
1
Click
Start
→
All Programs
→
Accessories
→
System Tools
→
Windows
Easy Transfer
.
2
In the
User Account Control
dialog box, click
Continue
.
3
Click
Next
.
4
Click
Start a new transfer
or
Continue a transfer in progress
.
5
Follow the instructions in the Windows Easy Transfer wizard.
Setting Up a Printer
NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the
computer.
See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information,
including how to:
• Obtain and install updated drivers.
• Connect the printer to the computer.
• Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge.
For technical assistance, refer to the printer owner's manual or contact the
printer manufacturer.
36 Setting Up Your Computer
Printer Cable
Your printer connects to your computer with a USB cable. Your printer may
not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure
that it is compatible with your printer and computer. If you purchased a
printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may
arrive in the computer’s shipping box.
Connecting a USB Printer
NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.
1
Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so.
2
Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and
the printer. The USB connectors fit only one way.
1 USB connector on computer 2 USB connector on printer
3 USB printer cable
3
2
1
Setting Up Your Computer 37
3
Turn on the printer, and then turn on the computer.
If the
Add New Hardware Wizard
window appears, click
Cancel
.
4
Click
Start
, and then click
Network
.
5
Click
Add a printer
to start the Add Printer Wizard.
NOTE: To install the printer driver, see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on
page 127 and the documentation that came with your printer.
6
Click
Add a local printer
or
Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer
.
7
Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard.
Power Protection Devices
Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and
failures:
• Surge protectors
• Line conditioners
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help
prevent damage to your computer from voltage spikes that can occur during
electrical storms or after power interruptions. Some surge protector
manufacturers include warranty coverage for certain types of damage.
Carefully read the device warranty when choosing a surge protector. A device
with a higher joule rating offers more protection. Compare joule ratings to
determine the relative effectiveness of different devices.
NOTICE: Most surge protectors do not protect against power fluctuations or
power interruptions caused by nearby lightning strikes. When lightning occurs in
your area, disconnect the telephone line from the telephone wall jack and
disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.
Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. See the
surge protector documentation for modem connection instructions.
NOTICE: Not all surge protectors offer network adapter protection. Disconnect the
network cable from the network wall jack during electrical storms.
38 Setting Up Your Computer
Line Conditioners
NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions.
Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant
level.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in
data loss or file damage.
NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to
a UPS. Connect other devices, such as a printer, to a separate power strip that
provides surge protection.
A UPS protects against power fluctuations and interruptions. UPS devices
contain a battery that provides temporary power to connected devices when
AC power is interrupted. The battery charges while AC power is available. See
the UPS manufacturer documentation for information on battery operating
time and to ensure that the device is approved by Underwriters Laboratories
(UL).
Using the Display 39
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power
by setting the display brightness to the lowest comfortable level.
• 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).
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.
Switching the Video Image From Your Computer
Display To a Projector
When you start the computer with an external device attached (such as an
external monitor or projector) 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
NOTE: If you change the display resolution from the current settings, the image
may appear blurry or text may be hard to read if you change the resolution to one
not supported by your computer and display. Before you change any of the display
settings, make a note of the current settings so you can change back to the
previous settings if needed.
40 Using the Display
You can enhance the legibility of text and change the appearance of images
on the screen by adjusting display resolution. As you increase resolution,
items appear smaller on the screen. In contrast, lower resolution causes text
and images to appear larger and can benefit people with vision impairments.
To display a program at a specific resolution, both the video card and the
display must support the program, and the necessary video drivers must be
installed.
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.
To set the display resolution and refresh rate for your display:
1
Click
Start
→
Control Panel
.
2
Under
Appearance and Personalization
, click
Adjust screen resolution
.
3
In the
Display Settings
window, under
Resolution
, move the slide bar to
the left or right to decrease/increase the screen resolution.
NOTE: For additional instructions, click How do I get the best display?
Using the Keyboard and Touchpad 41
Using the Keyboard and Touchpad
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.
numeric keypad
9
42 Using the Keyboard and Touchpad
Key Combinations
System Functions
Display Functions
Battery
Power Management
<Ctrl><Shift><Esc> Opens the Task Manager window.
<Fn><F8> Displays icons representing all currently
available display options (display only, external
monitor or projector only, both display and
projector, etc). Highlight the desired icon to
switch the display to that option.
<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><F3> Displays the Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter
(see "Dell QuickSet Battery Meter" on
page 48).
<Fn><Esc> Activates a power management mode. You can
reprogram this keyboard shortcut to activate a
different power management mode using the
Advanced tab in the Power Options Properties
window (see "Configuring Power
Management Settings" on page 50).
Using the Keyboard and Touchpad 43
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions
Dell™ QuickSet Key Combinations
If Dell QuickSet is installed, you can use other shortcut keys for functions
such as the Battery Meter or activating power management modes. For more
information about Dell QuickSet key combinations, right-click the QuickSet
icon in the notification area, and then click Help.
Adjusting Keyboard Settings
To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate:
1
Click
Start
,
and then click
Control Panel
.
2
Click
Hardware and Sound
.
3
Click
Keyboard
.
Touch Pad
The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you
to move the cursor on the display. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons
as you would use a mouse.
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> combination.
Windows logo key and <e> Starts Windows Explorer.
Windows logo key and <r> Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key and <f> Opens the Search Results dialog box.
Windows logo key and
<Ctrl><f>
Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box
(if the computer is connected to a network).
Windows logo key and <Pause> Opens the System Properties dialog box.
44 Using the Keyboard and Touchpad
• 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.
• To double-click an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice
on the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch pad button
twice.
Customizing the Touch Pad
You can use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad or adjust
the touch pad settings.
1
Click
Start
,
and then click
Control Panel
.
2
Click
Hardware and Sound
.
1 touch pad 2 silk screen depicting scrolling capabilities
1
2
Using the Keyboard and Touchpad 45
3
Click
Keyboard
.
4
In the
Mouse Properties
window:
• Click the
Device Select
tab to disable the touch pad.
• Click the
Touch Pad
tab to adjust touch pad settings.
5
Click
OK
to save the settings and close the window.
46 Using the Keyboard and Touchpad
Using a Battery 47
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, place the mouse cursor over
the battery icon in the Windows notification area.
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.
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet
when writing to media.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. Operating
time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not
limited to, the following:
• Using optical drives.
• Using wireless communications devices, ExpressCards, memory cards, or
USB devices.
• Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-
intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications.
• Running the computer in maximum performance mode (see "Configuring
Power Management Settings" on page 50 for information about accessing
Windows Power Options Properties or Dell QuickSet, which you can use
to configure power management settings).
48 Using a Battery
You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the
computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the
battery charge is low.
CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or
explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from
Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use batteries
from other computers with your computer.
CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery
no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency
for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion battery (see "Battery Disposal" in the
Product Information Guide).
CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn.
Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures
above 65°C (149°F). Keep the battery away from children. Handle damaged or
leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may leak and cause
personal injury or equipment damage.
Checking the Battery Charge
You can check the battery charge on your computer using any one of the
following methods:
• Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
• Microsoft Windows battery meter icon located in the notification area
• Battery charge/health gauge located on the battery
• Low-battery warning pop-up window
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
To view the
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter:
• Double-click the Dell QuickSet icon in the taskbar, and then click
Battery
Meter
or
• Press <Fn><F3>
The Battery Meter displays the status, battery health, charge level, and charge
completion time for the battery in your computer.
Using a Battery 49
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon, and
then click Help.
Microsoft® Windows® Battery Meter
The battery meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the
battery meter, double-click the icon in the notification area.
Charge Gauge
By either pressing once or pressing and holding the status button on the
battery charge gauge, you can check:
• Battery charge (check by pressing and releasing the status button)
• Battery health (check by pressing and holding the status button)
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. Therefore, a battery can show a status of
charged, but maintain a reduced charge capacity (health).
Check the Battery Charge
To check the battery charge, press and release the status button on the battery
charge gauge to illuminate the charge indicator 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 are on, the battery has no charge.
Check the Battery Health
NOTE: You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge
on the battery, as described below, and by using the Battery Meter in Dell QuickSet.
For information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon in the notification
area, and then click Help.
To check the battery health using the charge gauge, press and hold the status
button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds to illuminate the
health indicator lights. Each light represents incremental degradation. If no
lights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its
original charge capacity remains. If five lights appear, less than 60 percent of
50 Using a Battery
the charge capacity remains, and you should consider replacing the battery
(see "Battery" on page 185 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. If the
battery runs completely out of power, Sleep state begins automatically.
A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately
90 percent depleted. The computer enters Sleep state when the battery
charge is at a critically low level.
You can change the settings for the battery alarms in Dell QuickSet or the
Power Options window (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on
page 50).
Conserving Battery Power
To conserve battery power on your portable computer, do any of the
following:
• Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible; battery life is
largely determined by the number of times the battery is used and
recharged.
• Configure the power management settings using either Dell QuickSet or
Microsoft Windows Power Options to optimize your computer’s power
usage (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 50).
• Use the Sleep power state when you leave the computer unattended for
long periods of time (see "Using the Sleep Power State" on page 51).
Configuring Power Management Settings
You can use Dell QuickSet or Windows Power Options to configure the power
management settings on your computer.
• For information on how to use the Dell QuickSet Power Management
wizard, right-click the QuickSet icon in the notification area, click
Help
,
and then select
Power Management
.

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