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Dell PP29L User's Manual

1. What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Checking Your Wireless Network Card Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem ConnectingtoaWLAN 9 Securing YourComputer SecurityCableLock Passwords If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen 10 Troubleshooting Dell Technical Update Service DellDiagnostics Contents Drive Problems 79 Optical drive problems 80 Harddrive problems 81 E Mail Modem and Internet Problems 81 Error Messages 82 ExpressCard Problems 87 IEEE 1394 Device Problems 88 Keyboard Problems 88 External Keyboard problems 89 Unexpected characters 90 Lockups and Software Problems 90 The computer does notstart 90 The computer stopsresponding 90 A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly 90 A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system 91 A solid bluescreenappears 91 Other software problems 91 Memory Problems 92 Network Problems 93 Power Problems 93 Printer Problems
2. 94 Scanner Problems 95 Contents Sound and Speaker Problems 96 No sound from integrated speakers 96 No sound from external speakers 96 No sound from headphones 97 Touch Pad or Mouse Problems 97 Video and Display Problems 98 Ifthe displayisblank 98 If the display is difficulttoread 99 If only part of the display is readable 99 Driv rst 2 258 B82 ena aie Ea 100 WhatisaDriver 100 Identifying Drivers 100 Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 100 Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System 103 Restoring Your Operating System 103 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 103 Starting System Restore 104 Using the Operating System Media 105 11 Adding and Replacing Parts 107 Before You Begin 107 RecommendedTools 107 Turning Off YourComputer 107 Before Working Inside YourComputer 108 HardDrive 109 Removing the Hard Drive 110 Replacing the Hard Drive 111 Returning a Hard DrivetoDell 111 Optical Drive 112 Removing the Optical Drive 112 Replacing the Optical Drive
3. Checking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows BatteryMeter Low Battery Warning Conserving Battery Power Contents Power Management Modes 50 Standby Mode 50 Hibernate Mode 50 Configuring Power Management Settings 51 Accessing Power Options Properties 51 Charging the Battery 51 Replacing the Battery 52 Storing a Battery 53 6 Using Multimedia 55 Playing Media 55 Copying CD and DVD Media 57 HowtoCopyaCDorDVD 57 Using Blank CD and DVD Media 58 HelpfulTip 58 Adjusting the Volume 59 Adjusting the Picture 60 7 UsingCards 61 ExpressCards 61 ExpressCard Blanks 62 Installing an ExpressCard 62 Removing an ExpressCard or Blank 63 Contents Memory CardReader Memory Card Blanks Installing a Memory Card Removing a Memory CardorBlank 8 Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting UpaNetwork Wireless Local Area Network
4. Finding Information 17 18 Finding Information About Your Computer Front View About Your Computer 19 1 display 2 power button 3 media control buttons 7 4 keyboard 5 touch pad 6 8 in 1 media card reader 7 analog microphone 8 microphone connector 9 headphone connectors 2 10 touch pad buttons 2 11 device status lights 12 keyboard status lights 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 MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS Control CD DVD and Media Player playback Ya YA YA We A n YO Mute the sound M4 Play the previous track Q Turn the volume down gt i Play the next track Q Tum the volume up E Stop gt Il Play or pause KEYBOARD For more information about the keyboard see Using the Keyboard and Touchpad on page 41 TOUCH PAD Provides the functionality of a mouse see Touch Pad on page 43 20 About Your Computer 8 IN 1 MEDIA CARD READER Provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digit
5. 112 HingeCover 113 Removing the Hinge Cover 113 Replacing the Hinge Cover 114 Keyboard 114 Removing the Keyboard 114 Replacing the Keyboard 115 Memory 2 3 2 02 45 42 0 4409 eed 204 24 116 Removing Memory Module 116 Replacing Memory Module 118 Wireless Mini Cards 120 Removing Mini Card 120 Replacing Mini Card 122 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 122 RemovingtheCard 122 ReplacingtheCard 123 Contents 12 Traveling With Your Computer 125 Identifying YourComputer 125 Packing the Computer 125 TravelTip 126 TravelingbyAir 126 13 Getting Help 127 Obtaining Assistance 127 Technical Support and Customer Service 128 DellConnect neea en UA pi as 128 Online Services 128 AutoTech Service 129 Automated Order Status Service 129 Problems With Your Order 2 129 Product Information 129 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 130 Before You Call 130 Contacting Dell 132 14 Specifications 133 10
6. 64 Using Cards Removing a Memory Card or Blank A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTICE Click the ifi icon in the notification area to select a card and stop it from functioning before you remove it from the computer If you do not stop the card you could lose data Press the card into the slot to release it from the card reader When it is partially ejected remove the card Using Cards 65 66 Using Cards Setting Up and Using Networks Setting up a computer network provides connectivity between your computer and the Internet another computer or a network For example with a network set up in a home or small office you can print to a shared printer access drives and files on another computer browse other networks or access the Internet You can set up a local area network LAN using a network or broadband modem cable or set up a wireless LAN WLAN The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides wizards to help guide you through the process of networking computers For more information about Networking see the Windows Help and Support Center see Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center on page 16 Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Before you connect your computer to a network the computer must have a network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it 1 Connect the ne
7. 3 Click PropertiesTools Check Now 4 Click Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors and click Start E Mail Modem and Internet Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide K NOTE Connect the modem to an analog telephone connector only The modem does not operate while it is connected to a digital telephone network CHECK THE MICROSOFT OUTLOOK EXPRESS OR WINDOWS MAIL 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 CONNECTOR CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL CONNECTOR USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE e Verify that the telephone line is connected to the connector on the modem the connector has either a green label or a connector shaped icon next to it e Ensure that you hear a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem e Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone then listen for a dial tone e 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 connector If you are using a line that is 3 m 10 ft or
8. Company name Dell Inc Worldwide Regulatory Compliance amp Environmental Affairs One Dell Way Round Rock TX 78682 USA 512 338 4400 Macrovision Product Notice This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U S patents and other intellectual property rights Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited 148 Appendix Glossary Terms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may or may not describe features included with your particular computer A AC alternating current The form of electricity that powers your computer when you plug the AC adapter power cable in to an electrical outlet ACPI advanced configuration and power interface A power management specification that enables Microsoft Windows operating systems to put a computer in standby or hibernate mode to conserve the amount of electrical power allocated to each device attached to the computer AGP accelerated graphics port A dedicated graphics port that allows system memory to be used for video related tasks AGP delivers a smooth true color video image because of the faster interface between the video circuitry and the computer memory AHCI Advanced Host Controller Interface An interface
9. Memory module connector Memory module capacities Memory type Minimum memory Maximum memory two user accessible SODIMM connectors 512 MB 1 GB 533 667 MHz SODIMM DDR2 512 MB 2 GB NOTE In order to take advantage of the dual channel bandwidth capability both memory slots must be populated and must match in size NOTE The available memory displayed does not reflect the complete maximum memory installed because some memory is reserved for system files Ports and Connectors Audio IEEE 1394a Mini Card Network adapter USB 134 Specifications microphone connector stereo headphone speakers connector 4 pin serial connector optional Type IIA Mini Card slot RJ 45 port three 4 pin USB 2 0 compliant connectors Communications Interface Intel High Definition Audio Network adapter 10 100 Ethernet LAN on system board Wireless internal WLAN Mini Card Bluctooth wireless technology optional Video Video type integrated on system board Video controller Video memory Intel 965 GM Intel dynamic based on system memory capacity LCD interface LVDS TV support VGA Audio Audio type two channel high definition audio codec Audio controller Stereo conversion Interfaces Internal External Speaker Internal speaker amplifier Volume controls Sigmatel STAC9228 Codec 24 bit analog to digital and digital to analog Intel High Definition Audio microphone in connector stereo
10. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 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 75 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 ExpressCard Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide CHECK THE EXPRESSCARD Ensure that the ExpressCard is properly inserted into the connector CHECK THAT THE CARD IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS Double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Windows taskbar Some cards do not support this feature If the card supports this Windows feature the card will be listed Troubleshooting 87 IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A DELL PROVIDED EXPRESSCARD Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AN EXPRESSCARD NOT PROVIDED BY DELL Contact the ExpressCard manufacturer IEEE 1394 Device Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the s
11. file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD R You cannot create audio DVDs with Roxio Creator Commercially available DVD players used in home theater systems may not support all available DVD formats For a list of formats supported by your DVD player see the documentation provided with your DVD player or contact the manufacturer See the Roxio website at www sonic com Adjusting the Volume K 1 2 3 NOTE When the speakers are muted you do not hear the media playing Right click the volume icon in the notification area Click Open Volume Mixer Click and drag the bar to slide it up or down to increase or decrease the volume For more information on volume control options click Help in the Volume Mixer window The Volume Meter displays the current volume level including mute on your computer Either click the QuickSet icon in the notification area and select or deselect Disable On Screen Volume Meter or press the volume control buttons to enable or disable the Volume Meter on the screen Using Multimedia 59 60 Adjusting the Picture If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are using too much memory and preventing media playback adjust the display properties 1 oa fF N Click Start gt Control Panel Display Under Display click Settings On Display Settings click and drag the bar to reduce the resolution setting In the drop do
12. identifying 100 reinstalling 100 Drivers and Utilities CD Dell Diagnostics 75 Drivers and Utilities media 13 about 101 166 Index drives problems 79 See also hard drive See also optical drive DVD blank 58 drive problems 80 E End User License Agreement 14 ergonomics information 14 error messages 82 ExpressCard slot description 26 ExpressCards 61 blanks 62 63 installing 62 removing 63 H hard drive problems 81 replacing 109 returning to Dell 111 hardware Dell Diagnostics 75 Hardware Troubleshooter 103 hinge cover removing 113 IEEE 1394 connector description 25 problems 88 Internet connection about 29 options 29 setting up 30 K keyboard numeric keypad 41 problems 88 removing 114 shortcuts 42 keyboard status lights description 23 keypad numeric 41 L labels Microsoft Windows 14 Service Tag 14 lost computer 74 media playing 55 media control buttons description 20 media memory cards 63 installing 64 reader 21 types 63 memory installing 116 removing 117 memory card blanks 63 memory card reader 63 memory cards blanks 65 removing 65 messages error 82 modem connector description 28 monitor See display network problems 93 network connector description 25 Index 167 P power problems 93 power button description 20 power light conditions 93 printer cable 35
13. lt F8 gt 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 lt Fn gt and up arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only not on an external monitor lt Fn gt and down arrow key Decreases brightness on the integrated display only not on an external monitor Battery lt Fn gt lt F3 gt Power Management Displays the Dell QuickSet Battery Meter see Dell QuickSet Battery Meter on page 48 lt Fn gt lt Esc gt 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 51 42 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Windows logo key and lt m gt Minimizes all open windows Windows logo key and Restores all minimized windows This key lt Shift gt lt m gt combination functions as a toggle to restore minimized windows following the use of the Windows logo key and lt m gt combination Windows logo key and lt e gt Starts Windows Explorer Windows logo key and lt r gt Opens the Run dialog box Windows logo key and lt f gt Opens the Search Results dialog box Wi
14. packaging see Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge in the Product Information Guide 3 Slide the hard drive out of the computer 110 Adding and Replacing Parts Replacing the Hard Drive 1 Remove the new drive from its packaging Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive NOTICE Use firm and even pressure to slide the drive into place If you use excessive force you may damage the connector Slide the hard drive into the bay until it is fully seated Replace and tighten the two screws Install the operating system for your computer as needed see Restoring Your Operating System on page 103 5 Install the drivers and utilities for your computer as needed see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Return your old hard drive to Dell in its original or comparable foam packaging Otherwise the hard drive may be damaged in transit 1 foam packaging 2 hard drive Adding and Replacing Parts 111 Optical Drive A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide Removing the Optical Drive 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 107 Turn the computer over Remove the locking screw from the optical drive Using a plastic scribe push the notch to release the optical drive from the bay Slide the optical drive out of the bay oa
15. the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program 5 When the boot device list appears highlight CD DVD CD RW Drive and press lt Enter gt 6 Press any key to Boot from CD ROM 7 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation 106 Troubleshooting Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer Unless otherwise noted each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist e You have performed the steps in Turning Off Your Computer on page 107 and Before Working Inside Your Computer on page 108 e You have read the safety information in your Dell Product Information Guide e Acomponent can be replaced or if purchased separately installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order Recommended Tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools e Small flat blade screwdriver e Phillips screwdriver e Small plastic scribe e Flash BIOS update see the Dell Support website at support dell com Turning Off Your Computer NOTICE To avoid losing data save and close any open files and exit any open programs before you turn off your computer Save and close any open files and exit any open programs 2 Shut down the operating system Click Start gt Shut Down Shut down The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process
16. wireless network card The Order Confirmation for Your Computer 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 Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem 1 Contact your Internet service provider ISP to obtain specific information about the connection requirements for your broadband modem 2 Ensure that you have wired Internet access through your broadband modem before you attempt to set up a wireless Internet connection see Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable on page 67 3 Install any software required for your wireless router Your wireless router may have been shipped with installation media Installation media usually contains installation and troubleshooting information Install the required software according to the instructions provided by the router manufacturer 4 Shut down your computer and any other wireless enabled computers in the vicinity 5 Disconnect your broadband modem power cable from the electrical outlet Setting Up and Using Networks 69 70 10 11 12 13 14 15 Disconnect the network cable from the computer and the modem Disconnect the AC adapter cable from your wireless router to ensure that there is no power connected to the router K NOTE Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after disconnecting your broadband modem before continuing with the network setup
17. CD ROM option from the menu that appears and then press lt Enter gt Type 1 to start the Drivers and Utilities menu and then press lt Enter gt Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list If multiple versions are listed select the version appropriate for your computer At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu select the test you want to run K NOTE Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen After all tests have completed close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Remove your Drivers and Utilities media then close the Main Menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer Troubleshooting 77 Dell Diagnostics Main Menu After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears click the button for the option you want K NOTE It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer Option Function Test Memory Run the stand alone memory test Test System Run System Diagnostics Exit Exit Diagnostics After you have selected the Test System option from the main menu the following menu appears K NOTE It is recommended that you select Extended Test fromthe menu below to run a more thorough check of the devices in the computer Option Function Express Test Performs a quick test of computer devices The test typically t
18. Hook the tabs along the front edge of the keyboard into the palmrest Press on the right edge near the top to snap the keyboard into place a Ff WwW N Replace the two screws on the top of the keyboard Adding and Replacing Parts 115 Memory A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board See Specifications on page 133 for information on the memory supported by your computer Install only memory modules that are intended for your computer K NOTE Memory modules purchased from Dell are covered under your computer warranty Your computer has two user accessible SODIMM sockets DIMM A and DIMM B accessed from the bottom of the computer NOTICE If you need to install memory modules in two connectors install a memory module in the connector labeled DIMMA before you install a module in the connector labeled DIMMB Removing Memory Module The memory modules are located under the memory module cover on the bottom of the computer 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 107 2 Turn the computer upside down loosen the eight captive screws on the cover see Bottom View on page 28 and remove the cover 116 Adding and Replacing Parts 1 cover 2 captive screws 8 NOTICE To prevent damage to the memory module conne
19. See Online Services on page 128 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online 5 If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem see Contacting Dell on page 132 K NOTE Call Dell Support from a telephone near or at the computer so that the support staff can assist you with any necessary procedures K NOTE Dell s Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries When prompted by Dell s automated telephone system enter your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel For instructions on using the Dell Support see Technical Support and Customer Service on page 128 4 NOTE Some of the following services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U S Call your local Dell representative for information on availability Getting Help 127 Technical Support and Customer Service Dell s support service is available to answer your questions about Dell hardware Our support staff uses computer based diagnostics to provide fast accurate answers To contact Dell s support service see Before You Call on page 130 and then see the contact information for your region or go to support dell com DellConnect DellConnect is a simple online access tool that allows a Dell service and support associate to access your computer through a broadband connection diagnose your problem and repair it all under your supervision For more information go
20. are recharged sometimes also referred to as its vertical frequency The higher the refresh rate the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye resolution The sharpness and clarity of an image produced by a printer or displayed on a monitor The higher the resolution the sharper the image RFI radio frequency interference Interference that is generated at typical radio frequencies in the range of 10 kHz to 100 000 MHz Radio frequencies are at the lower end of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and are more likely to have interference than the higher frequency radiations such as infrared and light ROM read only memory Memory that stores data and programs that cannot be deleted or written to by the computer ROM unlike RAM retains its contents after you shut down your computer Some programs essential to the operation of your computer reside in ROM RPM revolutions per minute The number of rotations that occur per minute Hard drive speed is often measured in rpm RTC real time clock Battery powered clock on the system board that keeps the date and time after you shut down the computer RTCRST real time clock reset A jumper on the system board of some computers that can often be used for troubleshooting problems S SAS serial attached SCSI A faster serial version of the SCSI interface as opposed to the original SCSI parallel architecture SATA serial ATA A f
21. 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 About Your Computer 27 Bottom View 1 optical drive 2 battery 3 battery release latch 4 processor memory module mini card compartment 5 hard drive 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 RELEASE LATCH Releases the battery see Replacing the Battery on page 52 for instructions PROCESSOR MEMORY MODULE MINI CARD COMPARTMENT Compartment that contains the memory modules and WLAN see Wireless Mini Cards on page 120 HARD DRIVE Stores software and data OPTICAL DRIVE For more information about the optical drive see Using Multimedia on page 55 28 About Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet K NOTE Internet Service Providers 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 connection
22. computer or backing up important data For help open Roxio Creator and then press lt F1 gt The DVD drives installed in Dell computers do not support HD DVD media For a list of supported media formats see Using Blank CD and DVD Media on page 58 How to Copy a CD or DVD K NOTE Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Roxio Creator Plus Click Start All Programs Roxio Creator Projects Copy Under the Copy tab click Copy Disc To copy the CD or DVD e Ifyou have one optical drive insert the source disc into the drive ensure that the settings are correct and then click the Copy Disc button to continue The computer reads your source disc and copies the data to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive When prompted insert a blank disc into the drive and click OK e Ifyou have two optical drives select the drive into which you have inserted your source disc and click the Copy Disc button to continue The computer copies the data from the source disc to the blank disc Once you have finished copying the source disc the disc that you have created automatically ejects Using Multimedia 57 Using Blank CD and DVD Media DVD writable drives can write to both CD and DVD recording media Use blank CD Rs to record music or permanently store data files After creating a CD R you cannot write to that CD R again see the Sonic documentation for more information Use a blank CD
23. connecting 34 problems 94 setting up 34 USB 35 problems 168 blue screen 91 CD drive 80 CD RW drive 80 computer crashes 90 91 computer does not start up 90 computer stops responding 90 Dell Diagnostics 75 drives 79 DVD drive 80 error messages 82 hard drive 81 IEEE 1394 connector 88 keyboard 88 lockups 90 network 93 power 93 power light conditions 93 printer 94 program crashes repeatedly 90 program stops responding 90 Index scanner 95 slow computer performance 82 92 software 90 91 sound and speakers 96 speakers 96 spyware 82 92 Product Information Guide 14 0 OuickSet Help 16 R RAM See memory regulatory information 14 resolution setting 40 S Safely Remove Hardware icon 87 safety instructions 14 scanner problems 95 screen See display security cable slot description 24 Service Tag 14 software problems 91 software and hardware incompatibilities 103 sound problems 96 volume 96 speakers problems 96 volume 96 specifications 133 spyware 82 92 stolen computer 74 support website 15 system setup program commonly used options 142 screens 142 viewing 142 T taskbar Dell Support Utility 16 Safely Remove Hardware 87 wireless activity indicator 72 touch pad 44 cleaning 145 customizing 5 touch pad buttons description 21 track stick touch pad buttons description 20 traveling wit
24. conserve power by setting the display brightness to the lowest comfortable level e Press lt Fn gt and the up arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated display only not on an external monitor e Press lt Fn gt and the down arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only not on an external monitor 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 lt Fn gt lt F8 gt to switch the video image between the display only the external device only or the display and the external device simultaneously Using the Display 39 Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate K 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 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
25. defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors Graphics modes can display an unlimited variety of shapes and fonts GUI graphical user interface Software that interacts with the user by means of menus windows and icons Most programs that operate on the Windows operating systems are GUIs 154 Glossary hard drive A drive that reads and writes data on a hard disk The terms hard drive and hard disk are often used interchangeably heat sink A metal plate on some processors that helps dissipate heat hibernate mode A power management mode that saves everything in memory to a reserved space on the hard drive and then turns off the computer When you restart the computer the memory information that was saved to the hard drive is automatically restored HTTP hypertext transfer protocol A protocol for exchanging files between computers connected to the Internet Hyper Threading Hyper Threading is an Intel technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously Hz hertz A unit of frequency measurement that equals 1 cycle per second Computers and electronic devices are often measured in kilohertz kHz megahertz MHz gigahertz GHz or terahertz THz IC integrated circuit A semiconductor wafer or chip on which thousands or millions of tiny el
26. disc label side up in the center of the tray and snap the disc onto the spindle 3 Push the tray back into the drive Using Multimedia 55 To format media for storing or copying data see the media software that came with your computer K NOTE Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when copying media A CD player includes the following basic buttons Play Move backward within the current track Pause Move forward within the current track Stop Go to the previous track Eject Go to the next track A g VD player includes the following basic buttons Stop Restart the current chapter Play Fast forward Pause Fast reverse Advance a single frame while in pause mode Go to the next title or chapter Continuously play the current title or chapter Go to the previous title or chapter o REKA BEAA MNO Eject For more information on playing media click Help on the media player if available 56 Using Multimedia Copying CD and DVD Media K NOTE Ensure that you observe all copyright laws while copying media K NOTE The types of optical drives offered by Dell may vary by country This section applies only to computers that have a DVD RW or Combo drive The following instructions explain how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD using Roxio Creator You can also use Roxio Creator for other purposes such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on your
27. headphones speakers connector two 4 ohm speakers 1 Watt per channel into ohms program menus media control buttons Display Type active matrix TFT Dimensions Height Width Diagonal 15 4 inch WXGA 207 0 mm 8 1 in 331 2 mm 13 0 in 391 2 mm 15 4 in Specifications 135 Display continued Maximum resolutions WXGA Refresh rate 1280 x 800 at 262 K colors 60 Hz Operating angle 0 closed to 155 Viewing angles Horizontal 40 Vertical 15 30 Pixel pitch WXGA 0 258 mm Controls brightness can be controlled through keyboard shortcuts see Display Functions on page 42 Media Drive DVD combo DVD RW Interface Roxio Creator Plus Keyboard Number of keys Layout 87 U S and Canada 88 Europe 91 Japan OWERTY AZERTY Kanji Touch Pad X Y position resolution graphics table mode Size Width Height 136 Specifications 240 cpi 73 7 mm 2 9 in sensor active area 34 0 mm 1 3 in rectangle Battery Type Dimensions Depth Height Width Voltage Charge time approximate Computer off Operating time Life span approximate Temperature range 6 cell smart lithium ion 6 cell smart lithium polymer or 4 cell smart lithium ion 57 2 mm 2 25 in 4 6 cell 20 mm 0 78 in 205 1 mm 8 07 in 4 6 cell 11 1 VDC 6 cell 14 8 VDC 4 cell 4 hours Battery operating time varies depending on operati
28. more in length try a shorter one Troubleshooting 81 RUN THE MODEM DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY Click the Start Programs gt Modem Diagnostic ToolModem Diagnostic Utility Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems Modem Diagnostic Utility is not available on certain computers VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS 1 Click the Start and then click Control Panel 2 Click Phone and Modem Options 3 Click the Modems tab 4 Click the COM port for your modem 5 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 service 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 then 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 suppo
29. printer cable Setting Up Your Computer 35 3 Tum 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 Printers and Faxes Click Add a printer to start the Add Printer Wizard K NOTE To install the printer driver see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 and the documentation that came with your printer 6 Click Add a local printer or Add a network wireless or Bluetooth printer Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard Power Protection Devices Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures e Surge protectors e 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
30. program moves from one computer to another through an infected disk software downloaded from the Internet or e mail attachments When an infected program starts its embedded virus also starts A common type of virus is a boot virus which is stored in the boot sectors of a floppy disk If the floppy disk is left in the drive when the computer is shut down and then turned on the computer is infected when it reads the boot sectors of the floppy disk expecting to find the operating system If the computer is infected the boot virus may replicate itself onto all the floppy disks that are read or written in that computer until the virus is eradicated V volt The measurement of electric potential or electromotive force One V appears across a resistance of 1 ohm when a current of 1 ampere flows through that resistance Glossary 163 W W watt The measurement of electrical power One W is 1 ampere of current flowing at 1 volt WHr watt hour A unit of measure commonly used to indicate the approximate capacity of a battery For example a 66 WHr battery can supply 66 W of power for 1 hour or 33 W for 2 hours wallpaper The background pattern or picture on the Windows desktop Change your wallpaper through the Windows Control Panel You can also scan in your favorite picture and make it wallpaper WLAN wireless local area network A series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the ai
31. see Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad on page 41 A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTICE To avoid electrostatic discharge ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface such as a connector on the back of the computer NOTICE To help prevent damage to the system board you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer Removing the Keyboard 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 107 Remove the hinge cover see Hinge Cover on page 113 Remove the two screws at the top of the keyboard 2 3 NOTICE The key caps on the keyboard are fragile easily dislodged and time consuming to replace Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard 4 Lift the keyboard and hold it up and slightly forward to access to the keyboard connector 5 To disconnect the keyboard cable from the keyboard connector on the system board rotate the keyboard connector latch toward the front of the computer 6 Slide the keyboard cable out of the keyboard connector 114 Adding and Replacing Parts 1 screws 2 2 keyboard 3 keyboard tabs 5 4 keyboard cable 5 keyboard connector latch Replacing the Keyboard 1 Slide the keyboard cable into the keyboard connector Rotate the keyboard connector latch to secure the cable
32. 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 e System configuration e Boot order e Boot start up configuration e Basic device configuration settings e System security and hard drive password settings NOTE 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 Appendix 141 Viewing the System Setup Screen 1 Turn on or restart your computer 2 When the DELL logo appears press lt F2 gt immediately If you wait too long and the Microsoft Windows logo appears continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop then shut down your computer and try again System Setup Screen K NOTE For information about a specific item on a system setup screen highlight the item and see the Help area on the screen On each screen the system setup options are listed at the left To the right of each option is the setting or value for that option You can change settings that appear as white type on the screen Options or values that you cannot change because they are determined by the computer appear less bright The upper right corner of the screen displays help information for the currently highlighted option the lower right corner displays information about the
33. that the Drivers and Utilities program is detecting hardware in your computer appears The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in the My Drivers The ResourceCD has identified these components in your system window Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the instructions on the screen If a particular driver is not listed then that driver is not required by your operating system Manually Reinstalling Drivers K NOTE If your computer has a Consumer IR port and you are reinstalling a Consumer IR driver you must first enable the Consumer IR port in the system setup program see Using the System Setup Program on page 141 before continuing with the driver installation see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 For information about components installed on your computer see Front View on page 19 After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described in the previous section 1 Click Start gt My Computer Properties gt Hardware Device Manager 2 Double click the type of device for which you are installing the driver for example Audio or Video 3 Double click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver 4 Click the Driver tab gt Update Driver 5 Click Install from a list or specific location Advanced gt Next 6 Click Browse and browse to the location to which you previously copied the driver files 7 When the name of the appr
34. the hard drive See Windows Help and Support for instructions click Start gt Help and Support 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 75 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 86 Troubleshooting setup program then immediately exit the program see Using the System Setup Program on page 141 If the message reappears contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 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 132 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 Using the System Setup Program on page 141 TIMER CHIP COUNTER 2 FAILED A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning
35. the FCC Rules This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions e This device may not cause harmful interference e This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation NOTICE The FCC regulations provide that changes or modifications not expressly approved by Dell Inc could void your authority to operate this equipment These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference with radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on you are encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures e Reorient the receiving antenna e Relocate the system with respect to the receiver e Move the system away from the receiver e Plug the system into a different outlet so that the system and the receiver are on different branch circuits If necessary consult a representative of Dell Inc or an experienced radio television technician for additional suggestions Appendix 147 The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with the FCC regulations Product name Dell 500 Model number PP29L
36. the card A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide To install an ExpressCard 1 Hold the card with the top side of the card facing up 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 T The computer recognizes the ExpressCard and automatically loads the appropriate device driver If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer s drivers use the media that came with the ExpressCard 62 Using Cards Removing an ExpressCard or Blank A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide Press the card or blank to remove it from its slot Save a blank to use when no ExpressCard is installed in a slot Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles Memory Card Reader The memory card reader provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digital photos music and videos stored on a memory card K NOTE A memory card is not a bootable device The 8 in 1 memory card reader reads the following memory cards e Secure Digital SD e SDIO e MultiMediaCard MMC e Memory Stick e Memory Stick PRO e xD Picture Card e Hi Speed SD e Hi Density SD Memory Card Blanks Your computer shipped
37. 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 132 Troubleshooting 85 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 75 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 109 If the problem persists contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 OPTIONAL ROM BaD CHECKSUM The optional ROM has failed Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 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 Start gt Control Panel gt Add or Remove Programs Programs and Features 2 Select the program you want to remove 3 Click Uninstall 4 See the program documentation for installation instructions 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
38. wall connector and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet Many surge protectors have a telephone connector 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 connector during electrical storms 36 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 K 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 Setting Up Your Computer 37 38 Setting Up Your Computer Using the Display Adjusting Brightness When a Dell computer is running on battery power you can
39. 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 A 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 e Dell QuickSet Battery Meter e Microsoft Windows battery meter icon Mj located in the notification area Low battery warning pop up window Dell QuickSet Battery Meter To view the Dell QuickSet Battery Meter e Double click the Dell QuickSet icon in the taskbar and then click Battery Meter or e Press lt Fn gt lt F3 gt The Battery Meter displays the status battery health charge level and charge completion time for the battery in your computer For more information about QuickSet right click the QuickSet icon and then click Help 48 Using a Battery Microsoft Windows Battery Meter The battery meter indicates the remaining battery charge To check the battery meter double click the AJ icon in the notification area Check the Battery He
40. 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 Drive Problems A 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 on page 131 as you complete these checks ENSURE THAT MICROSOFT Windows RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE Click Start gt My Computer TEST THE DRIVE e Insert another floppy disk CD or DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original media is defective e Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK Sce Cleaning Your Computer on page 144 Troubleshooting 79 ENSURE THAT THE CD oR DVD MEDIA IS SNAPPED ONTO THE SPINDLE CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS CHECK FOR HARDWARE INCOMPATIBILITIES See Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System on page 103 RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS See Dell Diagnostics on page 75 Optical drive problems K NOTE High speed optical drive vibration
41. 156 Glossary MB megabyte A measurement of data storage that equals 1 048 576 bytes 1 MB equals 1024 KB When used to refer to hard drive storage the term is often rounded to 1 000 000 bytes MB sec megabytes per second One million bytes per second This measurement is typically used for data transfer ratings media bay A bay that supports devices such as optical drives a second battery or a Dell TravelLite module memory A temporary data storage area inside your computer Because the data in memory is not permanent it is recommended that you frequently save your files while you are working on them and always save your files before you shut down the computer Your computer can contain several different forms of memory such as RAM ROM and video memory Frequently the word memory is used as a synonym for RAM memory address A specific location where data is temporarily stored in RAM memory mapping The process by which the computer assigns memory addresses to physical locations at start up Devices and software can then identify information that the processor can access memory module A small circuit board containing memory chips which connects to the system board MHz megahertz A measure of frequency that equals 1 million cycles per second The speeds for computer processors buses and interfaces are often measured in MHz Mini PCI A standard for integrated peripheral devices
42. 19 FromttView 19 LletSideView 24 RightSideView 26 BackView 27 BottomView 28 2 Setting Up Your Computer 29 Connecting to the Internet 29 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 30 Transferring Information to a New Computer 31 Windows Easy Transfer 31 Setting UpaPrinter 34 Printer Cable AAA AA 35 Connecting a USB Printer 35 Power Protection Devices 36 Surge Protectors 36 Line Conditioners 37 Uninterruptible Power Supplies 37 Contents 3 Using the Display Adjusting Brightness Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display Toa Projector Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate 4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad Key Combinations System Functions Display Functions 4 Battery sie ie i ea koe a a ee i a Power Management Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Dell QuickSet Key Combinations Adjusting Keyboard Settings Touch Pad eek al wea cae th Nd oe eA Customizing the TouchPad 5 UsingaBattery Battery Performance
43. COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET Bypass power protection devices power strips and extension cables 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 Sce Configuring Power Management Settings on page 51 RESEAT THE MEMORY MODULES If the computer power light turns on but the display remains blank reinstall the memory modules see Memory on page 116 Printer Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 as you complete these checks A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide K NOTE If you need technical assistance for your printer contact the printer s manufacturer CHECK THE PRINTER DOCUMENTATION Sce the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information 94 Troubleshooting ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS e See the printer documentation for cable connection information e 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 as a lamp VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS 1 Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware View instal
44. Contents A Appendik 141 Using the System SetupProgram 141 Viewing the System Setup Screen 142 System Setup Screen 142 Commonly Used Options 142 Cleaning Your Computer 144 Computer Keyboard and Display 144 Touch Padi tae seve os he els KANE EA 145 Mouse Sepik eae Ba aoe baa ad 145 Media 25s Be aG eb ade Bag ad 145 Dell Technical Support Policy U S Only 146 Definition of Dell Installed Software and Peripherals 146 Definition of Third Party Software and Peripherals 146 FCC Notice U S Only 147 FCC Class Biv cs ace eae ee ee 147 Macrovision Product Notice 148 Glossary tb dimen eed ai se ieee 149 WUE ae oe es ee ee ee ee eis 165 Contents 11 12 Contents Finding Information K NOTE Some features may be optional and may not ship with your computer Some features may not be available in certain countries K 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 Utilit
45. Dell 500 Owner s Manual Model PP29L www dell com support dell com Notes Notices and Cautions K 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 A CAUTION A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage personal injury or death Information in this document is subject to change without notice 2008 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 and Wi Fi Catcher are trademarks of Dell Inc Intel is a registered trademark and Celeron is a trademark of Intel Corporation in United States and other countries Microsoft and Windows 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 PP29L July 2008 P N U739D Rev A03 Contents Finding Information 13 1 About Your Computer
46. E Before you connect to a WLAN ensure that you have followed the instructions in Wireless Local Area Network on page 68 K 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 using wireless technology Specific network names and configuration details vary See Wireless Local Area Network on page 68 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 K 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 68 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 Windows notification area To connect to the network 1 Click Start Settings gt Network ConnectionsWireless Network Connection 2 Select the network from the list and click Connect K NOTE If you s
47. Ensure that you are following the memory installation guidelines see Memory on page 116 e Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 92 Troubleshooting Network Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 as you complete these checks A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide CHECK THE NETWORK CABLE CONNECTOR Ensure that the network cable is firmly inserted into both the 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 Power Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 as you complete these checks A 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 Sleep state press the power button to exit Sleep state If the light is off press the power button to turn on the com
48. Ff W N 1 optical drive 2 locking screw 3 notch Replacing the Optical Drive 1 Slide the optical drive into the bay 2 Replace and tighten the locking screw 112 Adding and Replacing Parts Hinge Cover A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTICE To avoid electrostatic discharge ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface such as a connector on the back of the computer NOTICE To help prevent damage to the system board you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer Removing the Hinge Cover 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 107 2 Open the display as far as it will open NOTICE To avoid damage to the hinge cover do not lift the cover on both sides simultaneously 3 Insert a plastic scribe into the indent to lift the hinge cover on the right side Disconnect the media control buttons connector from the system board Ease the hinge cover up moving from right to left and remove it 1 hinge cover 2 scribe Adding and Replacing Parts 113 Replacing the Hinge Cover 1 Replace the media control buttons connector to the system board 2 Insert the left edge of the hinge cover 3 Press from left to right until the cover snaps into place Keyboard For more information about the keyboard
49. Follow the instructions on the screen The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer When all of the settings and files have been applied the Finished screen appears 3 Click Finished and restart the new computer Setting Up a Printer NOTICE Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information including how to e Obtain and install updated drivers e 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 34 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 K 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 lt gt 1 USB connector on computer 2 USB connector on printer 3 USB
50. ION The hard drive failed initialization Run the hard drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 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 109 ERROR READING PCMCIA CARD The computer cannot identify the ExpressCard Reinsert the card or try another card see Using Cards on page 61 EXTENDED MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED The amount of memory recorded in NVRAM does not match the memory installed in the computer Restart the computer If the error appears again contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 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 full Try copying the file to a different disk or use a larger capacity disk A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS 2 lt gt 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 116 Troubleshooting 83 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 dr
51. Insert a network cable into the network RJ 45 connector on the unpowered broadband modem Connect the other end of the network cable into the Internet network RJ 45 connector on the unpowered wireless router 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 K NOTE Restart your wireless equipment in the order described below to prevent a potential connection failure Turn on only your broadband modem and wait for at least 2 minutes for the broadband modem to stabilize After 2 minutes proceed to step 12 Turn on your wireless router and wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless router to stabilize After 2 minutes proceed to the step 13 Start your computer and wait until the boot process completes 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 e 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 If necessary configure your wireless network card to connect to the wireless network see Connecting toa WLAN on page 71 Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting to a WLAN K NOT
52. NOTICE The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion If you feel resistance check the connectors on the card and on the system board and realign the card NOTICE To avoid damage to the Mini card never place cables under the card 1 Insert the card connector into the system board connector at a 5 degree angle 2 Press the other end of the card down into the slot on the system board until the card clicks into place 3 Replace the securing screw Connect the cables to the Mini Card ensuring that you route the cables correctly K NOTE For more specific information about which cable to connect to which connector see the documentation that came with your Mini Card Secure unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve 6 Replace the cover and tighten the eight captive screws Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTICE To avoid electrostatic discharge ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface such as a connector on the back of the computer NOTICE To help prevent damage to the system board you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer If you ordered a card with Bluetooth wireless technology with your computer it is already installed Remov
53. RW if you plan to erase rewrite or update information on that disc later Blank DVD R media can be used to permanently store large amounts of information After you create a DVD R you may not be able to write to that disc again if the disc is finalized or closed during the final stage of the disc creation process Use blank DVD RW media if you plan to erase rewrite or update information on that disc later DVD Writable and Combo Drives Media Type Read Write Rewritable CD R Yes Yes No CD RW Yes Yes Yes DVD R Yes Yes No DVD R Yes Yes No DVD RW Yes Yes Yes DVD RW Yes Yes Yes DVD R DL Yes Yes No DVD R DL Yes Yes No Helpful Tips Use Microsoft Windows Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD R or CD RW only after you start Roxio Creator and open a Creator project Do not burn a blank CD R or CD RW to its maximum capacity for example do not copy a 650 MB file to a blank 650 MB CD The CD RW drive needs 1 2 MB of the blank space to finalize the recording Use CD Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos CD RWs do not play in most home or car stereos e Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed 58 Using Multimedia Use a blank CD RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques If you make a mistake you can erase the data on the CD RW and try again You can also use blank CD RWs to test music
54. S 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 116 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 and if necessary replace them see Memory on page 116 MEMORY DOUBLE WORD LOGIC 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 116 MEMORY ODD EVEN LOGIC 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 116 MEMORY WRITE READ 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 116 No BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE The computer cannot find the hard drive If the hard drive is your boot device ensure that
55. 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 see Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center on page 16 Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell QuickSet The wireless activity indicator provides you with an easy way to monitor the status of your computer s wireless devices To turn the wireless activity indicator on or off click the QuickSet icon in the taskbar and select Hotkey Popups If Wireless Activity Indicator Off is not checked the indicator is on If Wireless Activity Indicator Off is checked the indicator is off The wireless activity indicator displays whether your computer s integrated 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 Dell QuickSet wireless activity indicator right click the QuickSet icon in the taskbar and then select Help 72 Setting Up and Using Networks Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock K 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 inst
56. YBOARD 1 Shut down the computer wait minute and then 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 Start All Programs Accessories gt 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 Tum on the computer 4 From the Windows desktop click Start gt AIl Programs Accessories gt Notepad 5 Type some characters on the internal keyboard and verify that they appear on the display 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 132 RUN THE KEYBOARD DIAGNOSTICS TESTS Run the PC AT Compatible Keyboards tests in the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 If the tests indicate a defective external keyboard contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 Troubleshooting 89 Unexpected characters DISABLE THE NUMERIC KEYPAD Press lt Num Lk gt to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit Lockups an
57. afety instructions in the Product Information Guide ENSURE THAT THE IEEE 1394 DEVICE IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS 1 Click Start and click Control Panel 2 Click System System Properties gt Hardware Device Manager IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A DELL PROVIDED IEEE 1394 DEVICE Contact Dell or the IEEE 1394a device manufacturer see Contacting Dell on page 132 IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AN IEEE 1394 DEVICE NOT PROVIDED BY DELL Contact Dell or the IEEE 1394a device manufacturer see Contacting Dell on page 132 Ensure that the IEEE 1394a device is properly inserted into the connector Keyboard Problems A 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 on page 131 as you perform the various checks K NOTE Use the integrated keyboard when running the Dell Diagnostics or the system setup program When you attach an external keyboard the integrated keyboard remains fully functional 88 Troubleshooting External Keyboard problems K NOTE When you attach an external keyboard the integrated keyboard remains fully functional CHECK THE KEYBOARD CABLE Shut down the computer disconnect the keyboard cable and check it for damage then 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 KE
58. ailable online IEEE 1394 connector Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394a high speed transfer rates such as some digital video cameras HARD Drive Stores software and data About Your Computer 25 Right Side View 1 wireless switch 2 Wi Fi catcher light 3 ExpressCard slot 4 optical drive 5 eject button 6 USB connector 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 WI FI CATCHER LIGHT The Wi Fi catcher light operates as follows e Flashing blue Searching for networks Solid blue Strong network found e Solid yellow Weak network found e Off No signal found EXPRESSCARD SLOT Supports one ExpressCard The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot For more information see Using Cards on page 85 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 USB CONNECTOR cS et Connects USB devices such as a mouse keyboard or printer 26 About Your Computer Back View 1 battery 2 air vents A 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
59. akes 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 computer devices The test typically takes an hour or more and periodically requires your input to answer specific questions Custom Test Tests a specific device in the computer and can be used to customize the tests you want to run Symptom Tree Lists a number of common symptoms and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having For any problem 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 exactly as it appears and follow the instructions on the screen If you cannot resolve the problem contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 K NOTE The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen When contacting Dell support have your Service Tag ready 78 Troubleshooting The following tabs provide additional information for tests run from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option 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 any requirements for running the test Configuration Displays
60. al photos music and videos stored on a media memory card The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot The 8 in 1 memory card reader reads the following digital media memory cards Secure Digital SD memory card Secure Digital Input Output SDIO card e MultiMediaCard MMC e Memory Stick e Memory Stick PRO e xD Picture Card e Hi Speed SD e Hi Density SD ANALOG MICROPHONE Integrated single microphone for conferencing and chat AUDIO CONNECTORS S 8 Attach headphones to the 1 connector Attach a microphone to the connector TOUCH PAD BUTTONS Use these buttons 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 About Your Computer 21 DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS The lights located on the palm rest towards the front of the computer 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 O lightis flashing Battery status light Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status WLAN status light Turns on when wireless networking is enabled and hotspot is located Bluetooth status light Turns on when a card with Bluetooth wireless tec
61. alth You can check battery health 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 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 51 Conserving Battery Power To conserve battery power on your portable computer do any of the following e 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 e 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 51 e Use the Sleep power state when you leave the computer unattended for a long time see Low Battery Warning on page 49 Using a Battery 49 Power Management Modes Standby Mode Standby mode conserves power by t
62. an also be daisy chained together UTP unshielded twisted pair Describes a type of cable used in most telephone networks and some computer networks Pairs of unshielded wires are twisted to protect against electromagnetic interference rather than relying on a metal sheath around each pair of wires to protect against interference UXGA ultra extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 V video controller The circuitry on a video card or on the system board in computers with an integrated video controller that provides the video capabilities in combination with the monitor for your computer video memory Memory that consists of memory chips dedicated to video functions Video memory is usually faster than system memory The amount of video memory installed primarily influences the number of colors that a program can display video mode A mode that describes how text and graphics are displayed on a monitor Graphics based software such as Windows operating systems displays in video modes that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors Character based software such as text editors displays in video modes that can be defined as x columns by y rows of characters video resolution See resolution virus A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on your computer A virus
63. arts replacement program to cover all nonstandard third party hardware components integrated through CFI for the duration of the computer s service contract Definition of Dell Installed Software and Peripherals Dell installed software includes the operating system and some of the software programs that are installed on the computer during the manufacturing process Microsoft Office Norton Antivirus etc Dell installed peripherals include any internal expansion cards or Dell branded module bay or ExpressCard accessories In addition any Dell branded monitors keyboards mice speakers microphones for telephonic modems docking stations port replicators networking products and all associated cabling are included Definition of Third Party Software and Peripherals Third party software and peripherals include any peripheral accessory or software program sold by Dell not under the Dell brand printers scanners cameras games etc Support for all third party software and peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer of the product 146 Appendix FCC Notice U S Only FCC Class B This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer s instruction manual may cause interference with radio and television reception This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of
64. aster serial version of the ATA IDE interface ScanDisk A Microsoft utility that checks files folders and the hard disk s surface for errors ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has stopped responding SCSI small computer system interface A high speed interface used to connect devices to a computer such as hard drives CD drives printers and scanners The SCSI can connect many devices using a single controller Each device is accessed by an individual identification number on the SCSI controller bus 160 Glossary SDRAM synchronous dynamic random access memory A type of DRAM that is synchronized with the optimal clock speed of the processor serial connector An I O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld digital device or digital camera to your computer Service Tag A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at support dell com or when you call Dell for customer service or technical support setup program A program that is used to install and configure hardware and software The setup exe or install exe program comes with most Windows software packages Setup program differs from system setup shortcut An icon that provides quick access to frequently used programs files folders and drives When you place a shortcut on your Windows desktop and double click the icon you can open its corresponding folder o
65. bit data paths providing a high speed data path between the processor and devices such as video drives and networks 158 Glossary PCI Express A modification to the PCI interface that boosts the data transfer rate between the processor and the devices attached to it PC Express can transfer data at speeds from 250 MB sec to 4 GB sec If the PCI Express chip set and the device are capable of different speeds they will operate at the slower speed PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association The organization that establishes standards for PC Cards PIO programmed input output A method of transferring data between two devices through the processor as part of the data path pixel A single point on a display screen Pixels are arranged in rows and columns to create an image A video resolution such as 800 x 600 is expressed as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down Plug and Play The ability of the computer to automatically configure devices Plug and Play provides automatic installation configuration and compatibility with existing hardware if the BIOS operating system and all devices are Plug and Play compliant POST power on self test Diagnostics programs loaded automatically by the BIOS that perform basic tests on the major computer components such as memory hard drives and video If no problems are detected during POST the computer continues the
66. ch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch pad button twice 44 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 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 Keyboard 3 In the Mouse Properties window e Click the Device Select tab to disable the touch pad e Click the Touch Pad tab to adjust touch pad settings 4 Click OK to save the settings and close the window Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 45 46 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using a Battery Battery Performance K NOTE For information about the Dell warranty of your computer see the Product Information Guide or 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 K 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 K NOTE Battery operating time the time the battery can hold a charge decreases over tim
67. computer System setup key functions are listed across the bottom of the screen Commonly Used Options Certain options require that you reboot the computer for new settings to take effect Changing the Boot Sequence The boot sequence or boot order 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 Order page of the system setup program K NOTE To change the boot sequence on a one time only basis see Performing a One Time Boot on page 143 The Boot Order 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 e Internal HDD 142 Appendix e USB Storage Device e CD DVD CD RW drive e Modular bay HDD K NOTE Only devices that are preceded by a number are bootable 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 are preceded by a number disabled items are not preceded by a
68. ct Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 SEE ERROR MESSAGES If an error message appears see Error Messages on page 82 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 Tum on the computer and the monitor and then 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 132 Troubleshooting 99 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 Your Drivers and Utilities media 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 e Reinstall your operating system e Connect or install a new device Identifyi
69. ct the topic that describes your problem 4 Follow the instructions on the screen 16 Information on network activity the Power Management Wizard hotkeys and other items controlled by Dell QuickSet Finding Information Dell QuickSet Help To view Dell QuickSet Help right click the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft Windows taskbar and select Help The taskbar is located in the lower right corner of your screen What Are You Looking For Find It Here e 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 e Microsoft Windows System Restore Microsoft Windows System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files 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 103 After you reinstall your operating system use the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer DOLL OPERATING SYSTEM ALREADY INSTALLED ON 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
70. ctor do not use tools to spread the memory module securing clips NOTICE To avoid electrostatic discharge ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface such as a connector on the back of the computer 3 Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the module pops up 4 Remove the module from the connector Adding and Replacing Parts 117 1 securing clips 2 2 memory module Replacing Memory Module NOTICE To avoid electrostatic discharge ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface such as a connector on the back of the computer 1 Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot 2 Slide the module firmly into the slot at a 45 degree angle and rotate the module down until it clicks into place If you do not feel the click remove the module and reinstall it K NOTE If the memory module is not installed properly the computer may not boot No error message indicates this failure 118 Adding and Replacing Parts 1 tab 2 notch NOTICE If the cover is difficult to close remove the module and reinstall it Forcing the cover to close may damage your computer Replace the memory module cover Insert the battery into the battery bay or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an el
71. d Software Problems A 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 CHECK THE AC ADAPTER 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 or crashes repeatedly END THE PROGRAM 1 Press lt Crtl gt lt Shift gt lt Esc gt simultaneously 2 Click the Applications tab and select the program that is no longer responding 3 Click End Task K NOTE The chkdsk program may run when you restart the computer Follow the instructions on the screen CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD 90 Troubleshooting A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD Program compatibility is a mode in Windows that lets you run programs written for earlier versions of Windows For more i
72. d with an adapter on it A network adapter is also referred to as a NIC network interface controller NIC See network adapter notification area The section of the Windows taskbar that contains icons for providing quick access to programs and computer functions such as the clock volume control and print status Also referred to as system tray ns nanosecond A measure of time that equals one billionth of a second NVRAM nonvolatile random access memory A type of memory that stores data when the computer is turned off or loses its external power source NVRAM is used for maintaining computer configuration information such as date time and other system setup options that you can set 0 optical drive A drive that uses optical technology to read or write data from CDs DVDs or DVD RWs Example of optical drives include CD drives DVD drives CD RW drives and CD RW DVD combo drives P parallel connector An T O port often used to connect a parallel printer to your computer Also referred to as an LPT port partition A physical storage area on a hard drive that is assigned to one or more logical storage areas known as logical drives Each partition can contain multiple logical drives PC Card A removable I O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard Modems and network adapters are common types of PC Cards PCI peripheral component interconnect PCI is a local bus that supports 32 and 64
73. developed by Iomega Corporation that uses 3 5 inch removable disks called Zip disks Zip disks are slightly larger than regular floppy disks about twice as thick and hold up to 100 MB of data 164 Glossary Index Numerics 8 in l memory card reader 63 A audio See sound battery charging 51 checking the charge 48 performance 47 power meter 49 removing 52 storing 53 blank cards ExpressCards 62 memory card 63 removing 63 65 Bluetooth wireless technology card device status light 22 installing 122 boot sequence 142 brightness adjusting 39 C carnet 126 CD blank 58 CD RW drive problems 80 drive problems 80 Check Disk 81 cleaning touch pad 145 computer crashes 90 91 slow performance 82 92 specifications 133 stops responding 90 connecting Mobile Broadband network 72 copying CDs helpful tips 58 copying DVDs helpful tips 58 D Dell Diagnostics about 75 starting from the Drivers and Utilities media 77 starting from your hard drive 76 Index 165 Dell support site 15 DellConnect 128 device latch release description 28 device status lights description 22 diagnostics Dell 75 display adjusting brightness 39 description 20 resolution 40 switching the video image 39 documentation End User License Agreement 14 ergonomics 14 online 15 Product Information Guide 14 regulatory 14 safety 14 warranty 14 drivers about 100
74. drive is the first drive detected by the computer To reinstall Windows you need the following items e Dell Operating System media e Dell Drivers and Utilities media K NOTE Your Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during assembly of the computer Use your Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers including the drivers required if your computer has a RAID controller 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 media provides options for reinstalling Windows XP The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are 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 Insert the Operating System disc Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears Troubleshooting 105 4 Restart the computer When the DELL logo appears press lt F 12 gt immediately K 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 K NOTE The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only On the next start up
75. ds communication between the DDR2 SDRAM chips and the system FCC Federal Communications Commission A U S agency responsible for enforcing communications related regulations that state how much radiation computers and other electronic equipment can emit fingerprint reader A strip sensor that uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity to help secure your computer folder A term used to describe space on a disk or drive where files are organized and grouped Files in a folder can be viewed and ordered in various ways such as alphabetically by date and by size format The process that prepares a drive or disk for file storage When a drive or disk is formatted the existing information on it is lost FSB front side bus The data path and physical interface between the processor and RAM FTP file transfer protocol A standard Internet protocol used to exchange files between computers connected to the Internet G G gravity A measurement of weight and force GB gigabyte A measurement of data storage that equals 1024 MB 1 073 741 824 bytes When used to refer to hard drive storage the term is often rounded to 1 000 000 000 bytes GHz gigahertz A measurement of frequency that equals one thousand million Hz or one thousand MHz The speeds for computer processors buses and interfaces are often measured in GHz graphics mode A video mode that can be
76. e 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 K 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 e Using optical drives e Using wireless communications devices ExpressCards media memory cards or USB devices e Using high brightness display settings 3D screen savers or other power intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications e Running the computer in maximum performance mode see Configuring Power Management Settings on page 51 for information about accessing Windows Power Options Properties or Dell QuickSet which you can use to configure power management settings UsingaBattery 47 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 A 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 A CAUTION Do not dispose of batteries with household
77. e checks A 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 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 lt Fn gt lt End gt to disable mute or re enable the integrated speakers REINSTALL THE SOUND AUDIO DRIVER Sce Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 No sound from external speakers ENSURE THAT THE SUBWOOFER AND THE SPEAKERS ARE TURNED ON Sce 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 headphone connector TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp 96 Troubleshooting ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE Turn off nearby fans fluorescen
78. ectrical outlet 5 Turn on the computer As the computer boots it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information Confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer e Right click the My Computer icon on your desktop then click Properties gt General Adding and Replacing Parts 119 Wireless Mini Cards A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTICE To help prevent damage to the system board you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer If you ordered a wireless Mini Card with your computer the card is already installed Your computer supports Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Mini Card Removing Mini Card 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 107 2 Turn the computer over 3 Loosen the eight captive screws securing the cover and remove the cover 1 cover 2 captive screws 8 120 Adding and Replacing Parts 4 Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini card K NOTE The Mini card may have two or three connectors depending on the type of card you ordered 1 antenna cable connectors 2 securing screw 5 Release the Mini card by removing the securing screw 6 Lift the card out of its system board connector 1 Mini Card Adding and Replacing Parts 121 Replacing Mini Card
79. ectronic components are fabricated for use in computer audio and video equipment IDE integrated device electronics An interface for mass storage devices in which the controller is integrated into the hard drive or CD drive IEEE 1394 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc A high performance serial bus used to connect IEEE 1394 compatible devices such as digital cameras and DVD players to the computer integrated Usually refers to components that are physically located on the computer s system board Also referred to as built in 1 O input output An operation or device that enters and extracts data from your computer Keyboards and printers are I O devices T O address An address in RAM that is associated with a specific device such as a serial connector parallel connector or expansion slot and allows the processor to communicate with that device IrDA Infrared Data Association The organization that creates international standards for infrared communications Glossary 155 IRQ interrupt request An electronic pathway assigned to a specific device so that the device can communicate with the processor Each device connection must be assigned an IRQ Although two devices can share the same IRQ assignment you cannot operate both devices simultaneously ISP Internet service provider A company that allows you to access its host server to connect directly to t
80. elect 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 K NOTE Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network Once you have configured your computer for a wireless network 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 Setting Up and Using Networks 71 Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Depending on the software installed on your computer different wireless configuration utilities may manage your network devices e Your wireless network card s client utility The Windows XP operating system To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless network card in Windows XP 1 Click Start Settings Control Panel Network Connections 2 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 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
81. eriencing 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 If all tests run successfully the error condition is related to a software problem see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 Memory Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 as you complete these checks A 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 e See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements If necessary install additional memory see Memory on page 116 e Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory see Memory on page 116 e Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 IF YOU EXPERIENCE OTHER MEMORY PROBLEMS Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory see Memory on page 116
82. ext editor Text editors do not usually provide word wrap or formatting functionality the option to underline change fonts and so on TPM trusted platform module A hardware based security feature that when combined with security software enhances network and computer security by enabling features such as file and e mail protection travel module A plastic device designed to fit inside the module bay of a portable computer to reduce the weight of the computer U UMA unified memory allocation System memory dynamically allocated to video UPS uninterruptible power supply A backup power source used when the electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level A UPS keeps a computer running for a limited amount of time when there is no electrical power UPS systems typically provide surge suppression and may also provide voltage regulation Small UPS systems provide battery power for a few minutes to enable you to shut down your computer 162 Glossary USB universal serial bus A hardware interface for a low speed device such as a USB compatible keyboard mouse joystick scanner set of speakers printer broadband devices DSL and cable modems imaging devices or storage devices Devices are plugged directly in to a 4 pin socket on your computer or in to a multi port hub that plugs in to your computer USB devices can be connected and disconnected while the computer is turned on and they c
83. external to the processor or incorporated into the processor architecture carnet An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries Also known as a merchandise passport 150 Glossary CD R CD recordable A recordable version of a CD Data can be recorded only once onto a CD R Once recorded the data cannot be erased or written over CD RW CD rewritable A rewritable version of a CD Data can be written to a CD RW disc and then erased and written over rewritten CD RW drive A drive that can read CDs and write to CD RW rewritable CDs and CD R recordable CDs discs You can write to CD RW discs multiple times but you can write to CD R discs only once CD RW DVD drive A drive sometimes referred to as a combo drive that can read CDs and DVDs and write to CD RW rewritable CDs and CD R recordable CDs discs You can write to CD RW discs multiple times but you can write to CD R discs only once clock speed The speed given in MHz that indicates how fast computer components that are connected to the system bus operate CMOS A type of electronic circuit Computers use a small amount of battery powered CMOS memory to hold date time and system setup options COA Certificate of Authenticity The Windows alpha numeric code located on a sticker on your computer Also referred to as the Product Key or Product ID Consumer IR Sensor for using Del
84. f your display Also referred to as extended display mode DVD R DVD recordable A recordable version of a DVD Data can be recorded only once onto a DVD R Once recorded the data cannot be erased or written over DVD RW DVD rewritable A rewritable version of a DVD Data can be written toa DVD RW disc and then erased and written over rewritten DVD RW technology is different from DVD RW technology DVD RW drive drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write to DVD RW rewritable DVDs discs DVI digital video interface A standard for digital transmission between a computer and a digital video display 152 Glossary E ECC error checking and correction A type of memory that includes special circuitry for testing the accuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory ECP extended capabilities port A parallel connector design that provides improved bidirectional data transmission Similar to EPP ECP uses direct memory access to transfer data and often improves performance EIDE enhanced integrated device electronics An improved version of the IDE interface for hard drives and CD drives EMI electromagnetic interference Electrical interference caused by electromagnetic radiation ENERGY STAR Environmental Protection Agency requirements that decrease the overall consumption of electricity EPP enhanced parallel port A parallel connector design that p
85. for a SATA hard drive Host Controller which allows the storage driver to enable technologies such as Native Command Queuing NCQ and hot plug ALS ambient light sensor A feature that helps to control display brightness AMT Intel Active Management Technology Delivers more secure systems management capabilities whether or not the computer is powered up or turned off or the operating system is not responding antivirus software A program designed to identify quarantine and or delete viruses from your computer ASF alert standards format A standard to define a mechanism for reporting hardware and software alerts to a management console ASF is designed to be platform and operating system independent battery life span The length of time years during which a portable computer battery is able to be depleted and recharged battery operating time The length of time minutes or hours that a portable computer battery powers the computer Glossary 149 BIOS basic input output system A program or utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system Unless you understand what effect these settings have on the computer do not change them Also referred to as system setup bit The smallest unit of data interpreted by your computer Bluetooth wireless technology A wireless technology standard for short range 9 m 29 feet networking devices t
86. h the computer by air 126 identification tag 125 packing 125 tips 126 troubleshooting Dell Diagnostics 75 Hardware Troubleshooter 103 U uninterruptible power supply See UPS V video problems 98 video controller determining configuration 19 volume adjusting 96 warranty information 14 Windows XP Program Compatibility wizard 91 reinstalling 105 Index 169 170 Index
87. hat allows for enabled devices to automatically recognize each other boot sequence Specifies the order of the devices from which the computer attempts to boot bootable CD A CD that you can use to start your computer In case your hard drive is damaged or your computer has a virus ensure that you always have a bootable CD or floppy disk available Your Drivers and Utilities media is a bootable CD bootable disk A disk that you can use to start your computer In case your hard drive is damaged or your computer has a virus ensure that you always have a bootable CD or floppy disk available bps bits per second The standard unit for measuring data transmission speed BTU British thermal unit A measurement of heat output bus A communication pathway between the components in your computer bus speed The speed given in MHz that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information byte The basic data unit used by your computer A byte is usually equal to 8 bits C C Celsius A temperature measurement scale where 0 is the freezing point and 100 is the boiling point of water cache A special high speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent high speed storage device The cache enhances the efficiency of many processor operations L1 cache Primary cache stored inside the processor L2 cache Secondary cache which can either be
88. he ISP icon on the Microsoft Windows desktop 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 81 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 2 30 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs Click Start Internet Explorer The New Connection Wizard appears Click Connect to the Internet In the next window click the appropriate option e Ifyou do not have an ISP and want to select one click Choose from a list of Internet service providers ISPs e If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a setup CD click Set up my connection manually e Ifyou have a CD click Use the CD I got from an ISP Click Next If you selected Set up my connection manually continue to step 6 Otherwise follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup K NOTE If you do not know which type of connection to select contact your ISP Click the appropriate op
89. he Internet send and receive e mail and access websites The ISP typically provides you with a software package user name and access phone numbers for a fee K Kb kilobit A unit of data that equals 1024 bits A measurement of the capacity of memory integrated circuits KB kilobyte A unit of data that equals 1024 bytes but is often referred to as 1000 bytes key combination A command requiring you to press multiple keys at the same time kHz kilohertz A measurement of frequency that equals 1000 Hz L LAN local area network A computer network covering a small area A LAN usually is confined to a building or a few nearby buildings A LAN can be connected to another LAN over any distance through telephone lines and radio waves to form a wide area network WAN LCD liquid crystal display The technology used by portable computer and flat panel displays LED light emitting diode An electronic component that emits light to indicate the status of the computer local bus A data bus that provides a fast throughput for devices to the processor LPT line print terminal The designation for a parallel connection to a printer or other parallel device Mb megabit A measurement of memory chip capacity that equals 1024 Kb Mbps megabits per second One million bits per second This measurement is typically used for transmission speeds for networks and modems
90. hnology 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 4 icon in the notification area and then click Disable Bluetooth Radio About Your Computer If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet the light operates as follows Solid blue The battery is charging e Flashing blue The battery is almost fully charged e Off The battery is adequately charged If the computer is running on a battery the light operates as follows e Off The battery is adequately charged or the computer is turned off e Flashing orange The battery charge is low e Solid orange The battery charge is critically low KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following gt 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 About YourComputer 23 Left Side View security cable slot USB connectors 2 network connector RJ 45 IEEE 1394a connector AC power adapter video connector VGA modem connector RJ 11 SN o wo o oo A N hard drive SECURITY CABLE SLOT Lets you attach a com
91. ier 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 Any changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible NOTICE Make regular backups of your data files System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them K NOTE The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view so they may not apply if you set your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view Troubleshooting 103 1 Click Start Help and Support 2 Type System Restore in the search field then press lt Enter gt K NOTE The User Account Control window may appear If you are an administrator on the computer click Continue otherwise contact your administrator to continue the desired action 3 Click Next and follow the remaining prompts on the screen In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue you may undo the last system restore Starting System Restore NOTICE Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state save and close any open files and exit any open programs Do not alter open or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete 1 Click Start All Programs AccessoriesSystem Tools System Restore Click either Restore my computer to an earlier time or Create a restore point Click Next and follow the remaining on screen pr
92. ies on page 100 or run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 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 DOLL DRIVERS AND UTILITIES ALREADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER NOTE Drivers and documentation updates can be found at support dell com Finding Information 13 What Are You Looking For Find It Here 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 See the setup diagram that came with your computer 14 Service Tag and Express Service Code Microsoft Windows License Label Finding Information Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License These labels are located on your computer e 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 wit SERVI WAKALIA lee eee Rada TAG B88B8G8 EXPRESS SERVICE CODE Verge Veen tasme in aD Si pase NOTE As an increased security measure the newly designed Microsoft Windows license label has a missing portion or hole to disco
93. ing the Card 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 107 2 Remove the hinge cover see Hinge Cover on page 113 3 Remove the screw securing the card 122 Adding and Replacing Parts 4 Grasp the connector end of the card and slide it out from under the securing tabs 5 Disconnect the cable from the card 1 securing screw 2 card Replacing the Card 1 Replace the screw securing the card and insert the card at an angle to slide it in the card compartment 2 Connect the cable to the card Adding and Replacing Parts 123 124 Adding and Replacing Parts Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Attach a name tag or business card to the computer Write down your Service Tag and store it in a safe place away from the computer or carrying case Use the Service Tag if you need to report a loss or theft to law enforcement officials and to Dell Create a file on the Microsoft Windows desktop called if_found Place information such as your name address and phone number in this file Contact your credit card company and ask if it offers coded identification tags Packing the Computer Remove any external devices attached to the computer and store them ina safe place Fully charge the main battery and any spare batteries that you plan to carry with you Shut down the computer Disconnect the AC adapter NOTICE When the display is closed extraneous items on the keyboard or
94. instructions in your Product Information Guide 130 Getting Help Diagnostics Checklist Name Date Address Phone number Service Tag bar code on the back or bottom of the computer Express Service Code Return Material Authorization Number if provided by Dell support technician Operating system and version Devices Expansion cards Are you connected to a network Yes No Network version and network adapter Programs and versions See your operating system documentation to determine the contents of the system s start up files If the computer is connected to a printer print each file Otherwise record the contents of each file before calling Dell Error message beep code or diagnostic code Description of problem and troubleshooting procedures you performed Getting Help 131 Contacting Dell For customers in the United States call 800 WWW DELL 800 999 3355 K NOTE If you do not have an active Internet connection you can find contact information on your purchase invoice packing slip bill Contacting Del techsheet or Dell product catalog Dell provides several online and telephone based support and service options Availability varies by country and product and some services may not be available in your area To contact Dell for sales technical support or customer service issues 1 Visit support dell com 2 Verify your country or region in the Choose A Country Region drop down menu at
95. is complete Adding and Replacing Parts 107 3 Ensure that the computer and any attached devices are turned off If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system press the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off Before Working Inside Your Computer Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your own personal safety A A 2 2 3 4 108 CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide CAUTION Handle components and cards with care Do not touch the components or contacts on a card Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket Hold a component such as a processor by its edges not by its pins NOTICE Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty NOTICE When you disconnect a cable pull on its connector or on its strain relief loop not on the cable itself Some cables have a connector with locking tabs if you are disconnecting this type of cable press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable As you pull connectors apart keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins Also before you connect a cable ensure that both co
96. is normal and may cause noise which does not indicate a defect in the drive or the media K NOTE Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives Problems writing to a CD RW or DVD RW drive CLOSE OTHER PROGRAMS CD RW and DVD RW drives 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 drive TURN OFF SLEEP STATE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD DVD disc See Standby Mode on page 50 for information on Sleep state CHANGE THE WRITE SPEED TO A SLOWER RATE Sce the help files for your CD or DVD creation software The drive tray cannot eject 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 then push firmly until the tray is partially ejected 3 Gently pull out the tray until it stops The drive makes an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound e Ensure that the sound is not caused by the program that is running e Ensure that the disc is inserted properly 80 Troubleshooting 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 Start and click My Computer 2 Right click Local Disk C
97. ive type Shut down the computer remove the hard drive see Hard Drive on page 109 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 75 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 109 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 75 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 109 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 75 HARD DISK DRIVE READ FAILURE The hard drive may be defective Shut down the computer remove the hard drive see Hard Drive on page 109 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
98. l Travel remote control Control Panel A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and hardware settings such as display settings controller A chip that controls the transfer of data between the processor and memory or between the processor and devices CRIMM continuity rambus in line memory module A special module that has no memory chips and is used to fill unused RIMM slots cursor The marker on a display or screen that shows where the next keyboard touch pad or mouse action will occur It often is a blinking solid line an underline character or a small arrow D DDR SDRAM double data rate SDRAM A type of SDRAM that doubles the data burst cycle improving system performance DDR2 SDRAM double data rate 2 SDRAM A type of DDR SDRAM that uses a 4 bit prefetch and other architectural changes to boost memory speed to over 400 MHz device Hardware such as a disk drive printer or keyboard that is installed in or connected to your computer device driver See driver Glossary 151 DIMM dual in line memory module A circuit board with memory chips that connects to a memory module on the system board DIN connector A round six pin connector that conforms to DIN Deutsche Industrie Norm standards it is typically used to connect PS 2 keyboard or mouse cable connectors disk striping A technique for spreading data over multiple disk drives Disk stripi
99. led printers or fax printers If the printer is listed right click the printer icon Click Properties Ports For a parallel printer ensure that the Print to the following port s setting is LPT 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 A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide K NOTE If you need technical assistance for your scanner contact the scanner s manufacturer CHECK THE SCANNER DOCUMENTATION Sce the scanner documentation for setup and troubleshooting information UNLOCK THE SCANNER Ensure that your scanner is unlocked RESTART THE COMPUTER AND TRY THE SCANNER AGAIN CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS See the scanner documentation for cable connection information e Ensure that the scanner cables are securely connected to the scanner and the computer Troubleshooting 95 VERIFY THAT THE SCANNER IS RECOGNIZED BY MICROSOFT WINDOWS 1 Click Start gt Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Scanners and Cameras 2 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 on page 131 as you complete thes
100. ly the mouse may be defective Troubleshooting 97 CHECK THE SYSTEM SETUP PROGRAM SETTINGS Verify that the system setup program 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 on page 75 REINSTALL THE TOUCH PAD DRIVER Sce Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 Video and Display Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 as you complete these checks A 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 K 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 then 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 adap
101. m your Drivers and Utilities media see Drivers and Utilities Media on page 13 Troubleshooting 75 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive K 7 76 NOTE If your computer cannot display a screen image contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 NOTE If the computer is connected to a docking device docked undock it See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly Turn on or restart your computer Start the Dell Diagnostics in one of the following two ways a When the DELL logo appears press lt F12 gt immediately Select Diagnostics from the boot menu and then press lt Enter gt K 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 K NOTE Before attempting option B the computer must be powered down completely b Press and hold the lt Fn gt key while powering the computer on K NOTE If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities media The computer runs the Pre boot System Assessment a series of initial tests of your system board keyboard ha
102. mercially available antitheft device to the computer see Security Cable Lock on page 73 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 24 About Your Computer A 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 K NOTE Plug the power cord and the adapter firmly in and ensure that the green light is on USB CONNECTORS Connect USB devices such as a mouse keyboard or printer VIDEO CONNECTOR Connects video devices such as a monitor NETWORK CONNECTOR RJ 45 Connects the computer to a network The two lights next to the connector indicate status and activity of wired network connections For information on using the network adapter see the device user guide supplied with your computer MODEM CONNECTOR RJ 11 Connect the telephone line to the modem connector For information on using the modem see the modem documentation av
103. move any installed cards from the ExpressCard slot see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank on page 63 and the 8 in 1 memory card reader see Removing a Memory Card or Blank on page 65 Hard Drive A CAUTION If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot do not touchthe metal housing of the hard drive A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide Adding and Replacing Parts 109 NOTICE To prevent data loss turn off your computer see Turning Off Your Computer on page 107 before removing the hard drive Do not remove the hard drive while the computer is on or in Sleep state NOTICE Hard drives are extremely fragile Exercise care when handling the hard drive K NOTE Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell K NOTE If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell you need to install an operating system drivers and utilities on the new hard drive see Restoring Your Operating System on page 103 and Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 Removing the Hard Drive 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 107 2 Turn the computer over and remove the two hard drive screws G 1 1 screws 2 2 hard drive NOTICE When the hard drive is not in the computer store it in protective antistatic
104. mputer returns to its previous operating state For more information see your Windows documentation If you forget any of your hardware passwords such as the hard drive and BIOS passwords contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 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 If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen e 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 K 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 e Ifthe 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
105. ndows logo key and Opens the Search Results Computer dialog box lt Ctrl gt lt f gt if the computer is connected to a network Windows logo key and lt Pause gt Opens the System Properties dialog box 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 Keyboard Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 43 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 1 touch pad 2 scroll zones 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 e To double click an object position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the tou
106. nformation search for the keyword program compatibility wizard in Windows Help and Support The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non XP operating system environments 1 Click Start All Programs AccessoriesProgram Compatibility Wizard Next 2 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 Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION e Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer e Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software See the software documentation for information e Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly e Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program e If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program Troubleshooting 91 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 exp
107. ng can speed up operations that retrieve data from disk storage Computers that use disk striping generally allow the user to select the data unit size or stripe width DMA direct memory access A channel that allows certain types of data transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the processor DMTF Distributed Management Task Force A consortium of hardware and software companies who develop management standards for distributed desktop network enterprise and Internet environments domain A group of computers programs and devices on a network that are administered as a unit with common rules and procedures for use by a specific group of users A user logs on to the domain to gain access to the resources DRAM dynamic random access memory Memory that stores information in integrated circuits containing capacitors driver Software that allows the operating system to control a device such as a printer Many devices do not work properly if the correct driver is not installed in the computer DSL Digital Subscriber Line A technology that provides a constant high speed Internet connection through an analog telephone line dual core An Intel technology in which two physical computational units exist inside a single processor package thereby increasing computing efficiency and multi tasking ability dual display mode A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension o
108. ng 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 Start gt Control Panel System 2 In the System Properties window click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager Scroll down the list of devices and check for an exclamation point a circle with a next to the device name If an exclamation point is next to the device name you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities NOTICE The Dell Support website at support dell com and your Drivers and Utilities media provide approved drivers for Dell computers If you install drivers obtained from other sources your computer might not work correctly 100 Troubleshooting Using Windows Device Driver Rollback If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver use Windows Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version 1 Click Start gt My Computer Properties gt Hardware Device Manager 2 Right click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties 3 Click the Drivers tab Roll Back Driver If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem use System Restore see Restoring Your Operating System on page 103 to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you i
109. ng conditions and can be significantly reduced under certain power intensive conditions see Power Problems on page 93 See Using a Battery on page 47 for more information on battery life 300 discharge charge cycles Operating 0 to 35 C 32 to 95 F Storage 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F Coin cell battery CR 2032 AC Adapter Input voltage 100 240 VAC Input current maximum 1 5 A Input frequency 50 60 Hz Output current Output power 3 34 A continuous 4 34 A peak for 4 second pulse 65 W Specifications 137 AC Adapter continued Rated output voltage Dimensions Height Width Depth Weight with cables Temperature range 19 5 VDC 5 28 2 mm 1 11 in 57 9 mm 2 28 in 137 2 mm 5 4 in 0 4 kg 0 9 Ib Operating 0 to 35 C 32 to 95 F Storage 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F Physical Height 24 1 mm to 37 5 mm 0 94 in to 1 47 in Width 357 mm 14 05 in Depth 256 mm 10 08 in Weight with 4 cell battery Configurable to less than 2 7 kg 5 9 1b Environmental Temperature range Operating Storage Relative humidity maximum Operating Storage Maximum vibration using a random vibration spectrum that simulates user environment Operating Storage 138 Specifications 0 to 35 C 32 to 95 F 20 to 65 C 40 to 149 F 10 to 90 noncondensing 5 to 90 noncondensing 0 66 GRMS 1 3 GRMS Environmental c
110. nnectors are correctly oriented and aligned NOTICE To avoid electrostatic discharge ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface such as a connector on the back of the computer NOTICE To help prevent damage to the computer perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched Turn off your computer see Turning Off Your Computer on page 107 NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall connector Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Adding and Replacing Parts NOTICE To help prevent damage to the system board you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you service the computer NOTE To avoid damage to the computer use only the battery designed for this particular Dell computer Do not use batteries designed for other Dell computers Turn the computer over Slide the battery release latch toward the side of the computer until it is engaged 7 Slide the battery out of the battery bay 1 2 1 battery 2 battery release latch 8 Tum the computer top side up open the display and press the power button to ground the system board 9 Re
111. nstalled the new driver Using the Drivers and Utilities Media If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore see Restoring Your Operating System on page 103 does not resolve the problem reinstall the driver from your Drivers and Utilities media 1 With the Windows desktop displayed insert your Drivers and Utilities media If this is your first time to use your Drivers and Utilities media continue to step 2 If not proceed to step 5 2 When the Drivers and Utilities installation program starts follow the prompts on the screen K NOTE In most cases the Drivers and Utilities program starts running automatically If it does not start Windows Explorer click your media drive directory to display the media contents and then double click the autorcd exe file 3 When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears remove the Drivers and Utilities disc and click Finish to restart the computer 4 When you see the Windows desktop reinsert the Drivers and Utilities disc Troubleshooting 101 5 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen click Next K NOTE The Drivers and Utilities program displays drivers only for hardware that came installed in your computer If you installed additional hardware the drivers for the new hardware might not be displayed If those drivers are not displayed exit the Drivers and Utilities program For drivers information see the documentation that came with the device A message stating
112. nstructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 305621 titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP This information may not be available in certain countries Setting Up Your Computer 31 For transferring information to a new computer you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard You can use the optional Operating System media for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media K NOTE This procedure requires the Operating System media This media is optional and may not be included with certain computers To prepare a new computer for the file transfer 1 Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard click Start gt All Programs Accessories System Tools Files and Settings Transfer Wizard When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears click Next On the Which computer is this screen click New Computer Next On the Do you have a Windows XP CD screen click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD Next When the Now go to your old computer screen appears go to your old or source computer Do not click Next at this time To copy data from the old computer 32 1 2 On the old computer insert the Windows XP Operating System media On the Welcome to Mic
113. number e To reorder a device in the list highlight the device and press lt u gt to move the device up the list or lt d gt to move a device down the list Boot sequence changes take effect as soon as you save the changes and exit the system setup program Performing a One Time Boot You can set a one time only boot sequence without entering the system setup program 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 Connect the computer to an electrical outlet 3 Turn on the computer When the DELL logo appears press lt F12 gt 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 4 When the boot device list appears highlight the device from which you want to boot and press lt Enter gt The computer boots to the selected device The next time you reboot the computer the previous boot order is restored Appendix 143 Cleaning Your Computer A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide Computer Keyboard and Display A CAUTION Before you clean your computer disconnect the computer from the 144 electrical outlet and remove any installed batteries Clean your computer with a soft cloth dam
114. ommercial products that clean discs and provide some protection from dust fingerprints and scratches Cleaning products for CDs are also safe to use on DVDs Appendix 145 Dell Technical Support Policy U S Only Technician assisted technical support requires the cooperation and participation of the customer in the troubleshooting process and provides for restoration of the operating system software programs and hardware drivers to the original default configuration as shipped from Dell as well as the verification of appropriate functionality of the computer and all Dell installed hardware In addition to this technician assisted technical support online technical support is available at support dell com Additional technical support options may be available for purchase Dell provides limited technical support for the computer and any Dell installed software and peripherals Support for third party software and peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer including those purchased and or installed through Dell Software and Peripherals Readyware and Custom Factory Integration l Repair services are provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of your limited warranty and any optional support service contract purchased with the computer All Dell standard components included in a Custom Factory Integration CFI project are covered by the standard Dell limited warranty for your computer However Dell also extends a p
115. ompts In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue you may undo the last system restore 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 Start All Programs AccessoriesSystem Tools System Restore 2 Click Undo my last restoration and click Next 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 Start Control Panel Performance and Maintenance System 2 Click the System Restore tab and ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked 104 Troubleshooting Using the Operating System Media Before You Begin If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver first try using Windows Device Driver Rollback see Using Windows Device Driver Rollback on page 101 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 NOTICE Before performing the installation back up all data files on your primary hard drive For conventional hard drive configurations the primary hard
116. onnector and the computer and remove any other external cables from the computer NOTICE You must remove all external cables from the computer to avoid possible connector damage NOTICE If you choose to replace the battery with the computer in Sleep state you have up to 1 minute to complete the battery replacement before the computer shuts down and loses any unsaved data 52 Using a Battery To remove the battery 1 2 3 Ensure that the computer is turned off Turn the computer over Slide the battery release latch toward the side of the computer until it is engaged Slide the battery out of the bay 1 2 1 battery 2 battery release latch 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 see Charging the Battery on page 51 before you use it Using a Battery 53 54 Using a Battery Using Multimedia Playing Media NOTICE Do not press down on the optical drive 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 media K NOTE To prevent vibration and noise do not stick any additional labels or stickers on the media 1 Press the eject button on the front of the drive 2 Place the
117. ontinued Maximum shock Measured with hard drive in operating but not accessing data status and a 3 ms half sine pulse for operating Also measured with hard drive in head parked position and a 2 ms halfsine pulse for storage Operating Storage Maximum bench handling height Measured with hard drive in idle mode lifting the computer by one edge placing the opposite edge on the table and then releasing the computer to impact against the table X amp Y axes parallel to computer bottom 30G Z axis perpendicular to computer bottom 40G 163 G 10 cm Specifications 139 140 Specifications Appendix Using the System Setup Program K 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 Windows Help and Support see Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center on page 16 You can use system setup as follows e To set or change user selectable features such as your computer password e 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
118. opriate driver appears click Next 8 Click Finish and restart your computer 102 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured use Windows Help and Support to resolve the incompatibility If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility To start the Hardware Troubleshooter 1 Click Start gt Help and Support 2 Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press lt Enter gt to start the search In the Fix a Problem section click Hardware Troubleshooter In the Hardware Troubleshooter list select the option that best describes the problem and click Next to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps Restoring Your Operating System If you received an Operating System CD with your computer you can use it to restore your operating system However using the Operating System CD also deletes all data on the hard drive Use the CD only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem For instructions see Using the Operating System Media on page 105 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore The Windows operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earl
119. ors Always disconnect the network cable from the network connector during electrical storms Glossary 161 SVGA super video graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers Typical SVGA resolutions are 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 The number of colors and resolution that a program displays depends on the capabilities of the monitor the video controller and its drivers and the amount of video memory installed in the computer SXGA super extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 SXGA super extended graphics array plus A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050 system board The main circuit board in your computer Also known as the motherboard system setup A utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system System setup allows you to configure user selectable options in the BIOS such as date and time or system password Unless you understand what effect the settings have on the computer do not change the settings for this program T TAPI telephony application programming interface Enables Windows programs to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices including voice data fax and video text editor A program used to create and edit files that contain only text for example Windows Notepad uses a t
120. ou have run and any error messages reported by the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 4 Include any accessories that belong with the item s being returned power cables software floppy disks guides and so on if the return is for credit 5 Pack the equipment to be returned in the original or equivalent packing materials You are responsible for paying shipping expenses You are also responsible for insuring any product returned and you assume the risk of loss during shipment to Dell Collect On Delivery C O D packages are not accepted Returns that are missing any of the preceding requirements will be refused at Dell s receiving dock and returned to you Before You Call K NOTE Have your Express Service Code ready when you call The code helps Dell s automated support telephone system direct your call more efficiently You may also be asked for your Service Tag located on the back or bottom of your computer Remember to fill out the Diagnostics Checklist see Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 If possible turn on your computer before you call Dell for assistance and call from a telephone at or near the computer You may be asked to type some commands at the keyboard relay detailed information during operations or try other troubleshooting steps possible only at the computer itself Ensure that the computer documentation is available A CAUTION Before working inside your computer follow the safety
121. p a WLAN you need High speed broadband Internet access such as cable or DSL A broadband modem that is connected and working e A wireless router or access point e A wireless network card for each computer that you want to connect to your WLAN e A network cable with a 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 Start button and Connect To option e Check the order confirmation for your computer 68 Setting Up and Using Networks Start Button and Connect To Option Click Start gt Connect To Show all connections K NOTE If your computer is set to the Classic Start menu option click Start gt Settings Network Connections to view your network 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 K NOTE If Wireless Network Connection does not appear you may not have a
122. palm rest could damage the display Remove any extraneous items such as paper clips pens and paper from the keyboard and palm rest and close the display Use the optional Dell carrying case to pack the computer and its accessories together safely Avoid packing the computer with items such as shaving cream colognes perfumes or food NOTICE If the computer has been exposed to extreme temperatures allow it to acclimate to room temperature for 1 hour before turning it on Traveling With YourComputer 125 Protect the computer the batteries and the hard drive from hazards such as extreme temperatures and overexposure to sunlight dirt dust or liquids Pack the computer so that it does not slide around in the trunk of your car or in an overhead storage compartment Travel Tips e NOTICE Do not move the computer while using the optical drive to prevent loss of data NOTICE Do not check the computer as baggage Consider changing your power management options to maximize battery operating time see Configuring Power Management Settings on page 51 If you are traveling internationally carry proof of ownership or of your right to use the computer if it is company owned to speed your passage through customs Investigate the customs regulations of the countries you plan to visit and consider acquiring an international carnet also known as a merchandise passport from your government Find out what ty
123. pe of electrical outlets are used in the countries you will visit and have appropriate power adapters Check with your credit card company for information about the kinds of emergency travel assistance it offers to users of portable computers Traveling by Air 126 NOTICE Do not walk the computer through a metal detector Send the computer through an X ray machine or have it hand inspected Ensure that you have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on the computer Prior to entering the airplane verify that using a computer is permitted Some airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during flight All airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing l Traveling With Your Computer Getting Help Obtaining Assistance A CAUTION If you need to remove the computer cover first disconnect the computer power and modem cables from all electrical outlets If you experience a problem with your computer you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem 1 See Troubleshooting on page 75 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing 2 See Dell Diagnostics on page 75 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics 3 Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 Use Dell s extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support support dell com for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures
124. pened with water Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners which may contain flammable substances Use a can of compressed air to remove dust from between the keys on the keyboard and to remove any dirt or lint from the display NOTICE To help prevent damage to the computer or display do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the display Only use products specifically designed for cleaning displays and follow the instructions that are included with the product Moisten a soft lint free cloth with either water or a display cleaner Do not use alcohol or an ammonia based cleaner Wipe the display gently working from the center to the edges until it is clean and any fingerprints are removed Do not use excessive pressure NOTICE To prevent damage to the antiglare coating do not wipe the display with soap or alcohol Moisten a soft lint free cloth with water and wipe the computer and keyboard Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest To clean your monitor screen lightly dampen a soft clean cloth with water You can also use a special screen cleaning tissue or solution suitable for the monitor s antistatic coating Wipe the keyboard computer and monitor plastics with a soft cleaning cloth moistened with a solution of three parts water and one part dishwashing detergent Do not soak the cloth or let water drip inside your computer or keyboard Appendix Touch Pad 1 Shu
125. puter K NOTE For information on Sleep power state see Standby Mode on page 50 CHARGE THE BATTERY The battery charge may be depleted 1 Reinstall the battery Use the AC adapter to connect the computer to an electrical outlet Turn on the computer 2 3 K 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 Troubleshooting 93 CHECK THE BATTERY STATUS LIGHT If the battery status light flashes amber or is a steady amber the battery charge is low or depleted Connect the computer to an electrical outlet If the battery status light flashes blue and amber 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 amber the battery may be defective Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 CHECK THE BATTERY TEMPERATURE If the battery temperature is below 0 C 32 F the computer will not start 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
126. r file without having to find it first Shortcut icons do not change the location of files If you delete a shortcut the original file is not affected Also you can rename a shortcut icon SIM Subscriber Identity Module A SIM card contains a microchip that encrypts voice and data transmissions SIM cards can be used in phones or portable computers smart card A card that is embedded with a processor and a memory chip Smart cards can be used to authenticate a user on computers equipped for smart cards S PDIF Sony Philips Digital Interface An audio transfer file format that allows the transfer of audio from one file to another without converting it to and from an analog format which could degrade the quality of the file standby mode A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessary computer operations to save energy Strike Zone Reinforced area of the platform base that protects the hard drive by acting as a dampening device when a computer experiences resonating shock or is dropped whether the computer is on or off surge protectors Prevent voltage spikes such as those that may occur during an electrical storm from entering the computer through the electrical outlet Surge protectors do not protect against lightning strikes or against brownouts which occur when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal AC line voltage level Network connections cannot be protected by surge protect
127. r waves using access points or wireless routers to provide Internet access write protected Files or media that cannot be changed Use write protection when you want to protect data from being changed or destroyed To write protect a 3 5 inch floppy disk slide its write protect tab to the open position WPAN wireless personal area network A computer network used for communication among computer devices including telephones and personal digital assistants close to one person WWAN wireless wide area network A wireless high speed data network using cellular technology and covering a much larger geographic area than WLAN WXGA wide aspect extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 800 X XGA extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1024 x 768 Z ZIF zero insertion force A type of socket or connector that allows a computer chip to be installed or removed with no stress applied to either the chip or its socket Zip A popular data compression format Files that have been compressed with the Zip format are called Zip files and usually have a filename extension of zip A special kind of zipped file is a self extracting file which has a filename extension of exe You can unzip a self extracting file by double clicking it Zip drive A high capacity floppy drive
128. rd drive and display e During the assessment answer any questions that appear e Ifa failure is detected the computer stops and beeps To stop the assessment and restart the computer press lt n gt to continue to the next test press lt y gt to retest the component that failed press lt r gt e If failures are detected during the Pre boot System Assessment write down the error code s and contact Dell If the Pre boot System Assessment completes successfully you receive the message Booting Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition Press any key to continue Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive Troubleshooting Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media 1 2 3 10 Insert your Drivers and Utilities media Shut down and restart the computer When the DELL logo appears press lt F12 gt immediately K NOTE Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time To avoid possible keyboard failure press and release lt F12 gt in even intervals until the boot device menu appears At the boot device menu use the up and down arrow keys to highlight CD DVD CD RW and then press lt Enter gt K NOTE The Quickboot feature changes the boot sequence for the current boot only Upon restart the computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in system setup Select the Boot from
129. rosoft Windows XP screen click Perform additional tasks Under What do you want to do click Transfer files and settingsNext On the Which computer is this screen click Old Computer Next On the Select a transfer method screen click the transfer method you prefer On the What do you want to transfer screen select the items you want to transfer and click Next After the information has been copied the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears Click Finish Setting Up Your Computer To transfer data to the new computer 1 2 3 On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer click Next On the Where are the files and settings screen select the method you chose for transferring your settings and files and click Next The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer When all of the settings and files have been applied the Finished screen appears Click Finished and restart the new computer Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System media you must create a wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup image file to removable media To create a wizard disk use your new computer with Windows XP and perform the following steps 1 7 Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard click Start All Programs Accessories S
130. rovides bidirectional data transmission ESD electrostatic discharge A rapid discharge of static electricity ESD can damage integrated circuits found in computer and communications equipment expansion card A circuit board that installs in an expansion slot on the system board in some computers expanding the capabilities of the computer Examples include video modem and sound cards expansion slot A connector on the system board in some computers where you insert an expansion card connecting it to the system bus ExpressCard A removable I O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard Modems and network adapters are common types of ExpressCards ExpressCards support both the PCI Express and USB 2 0 standard Express Service Code A numeric code located on a sticker on your Dell computer Use the Express Service Code when contacting Dell for assistance Express Service Code service may not be available in some countries extended display mode A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display Also referred to as dual display mode extended PC Card A PC Card that extends beyond the edge of the PC Card slot when installed Glossary 153 F Fahrenheit A temperature measurement scale where 32 is the freezing point and 212 is the boiling point of water FBD fully buffered DIMM A DIMM with DDR2 DRAM chips and an Advanced Memory Buffer AMB that spee
131. rt dell com and search for the keyword spyware Error Messages Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 as you complete these checks A 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 82 Troubleshooting AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE The touch pad or external mouse may be faulty For an external mouse check the cable connection Enable the Pointing Device option in the system setup program see Using the System Setup Program on page 141 If the problem persists contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 132 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 132 CD DRIVE CONTROLLER FAILURE The CD drive does not respond to commands from the computer see Drive Problems on page 79 DATA ERROR The hard drive cannot read the data see Drive Problems on page 79 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 116 Disk C FAILED INITIALIZAT
132. ructions included with the device NOTICE Before you buy an antitheft device ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your computer Passwords Passwords prevent unauthorized access to your computer 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 When using passwords observe the following guidelines e Choose a password that you can remember but not one that is easy to guess For example do not use the names of family members or pets for passwords e Itis recommended that you do not write down your password If you do write it down however ensure that the password is stored in a secure location Do not share your password with other people Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password Securing Your Computer 73 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 data encryption programs Use the User Accounts option in the Control Panel in the Microsoft Windows operating system to create user accounts or to change passwords Once you create a user password you must enter it each time you turn on or unlock your computer If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes the co
133. s 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 e Cable modem connections that provide high speed Internet access through your local cable TV line e Satellite modem connections that provide high speed Internet access through a satellite television system e Dial up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line Dial up connections are considerably slower than DSL cable and satellite modem connections e 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 connector 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 K NOTE Your computer may not ship with a modem unless you have ordered one Setting Up Your Computer 29 Setting Up Your Internet Connection To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut 1 2 3 K K Save and close any open files and exit any open programs Double click t
134. start up processor A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions Sometimes the processor is referred to as the CPU central processing unit PS 2 personal system 2 A type of connector for attaching a PS 2 compatible keyboard mouse or keypad PXE pre boot execution environment A WfM Wired for Management standard that allows networked computers that do not have an operating system to be configured and started remotely RAID redundant array of independent disks A method of providing data redundancy Some common implementations of RAID include RAID 0 RAID 1 RAID 5 RAID 10 and RAID 50 RAM random access memory The primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data Any information stored in RAM is lost when you shut down your computer readme file A text file included with a software package or hardware product Typically readme files provide installation information and describe new product enhancements or corrections that have not yet been documented Glossary 159 read only Data and or files you can view but cannot edit or delete A file can have read only status if e It resides on a physically write protected floppy disk CD or DVD e It is located on a network in a directory and the system administrator has assigned rights only to specific individuals refresh rate The frequency measured in Hz at which your screen s horizontal lines
135. t down and turn off your computer see Turning Off Your Computer on page 107 2 Disconnect any attached devices from the computer and from their electrical outlets Remove any installed batteries see Battery Performance on page 47 4 Moisten a soft lint free cloth with water and wipe it gently across the surface of the touch pad Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest Mouse NOTICE Disconnect the mouse from the computer before cleaning the mouse If your screen cursor skips or moves abnormally clean the mouse Cleaning an Optical Mouse Clean the outside casing of the mouse with a cloth moistened with a mild cleaning solution Media NOTICE Always use compressed air to clean the lens in the optical drive and follow the instructions that come with the compressed air product Never touch the lens in the drive If you notice problems such as skipping with the playback quality of your media try cleaning the discs 1 Hold the disc by its outer edge You can also touch the inside edge of the center hole NOTICE To help prevent damage to the surface do not wipe in a circular motion around the disc 2 With a soft lint free cloth gently wipe the bottom of the disc the unlabeled side in a straight line from the center to the outer edge of the disc For stubborn dirt try using water or a diluted solution of water and mild soap You can also purchase c
136. t lights or halogen lamps to check for interference REINSTALL THE AUDIO DRIVER Sce Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 100 RUN THE DELL Diagnostics See Dell Diagnostics on page 75 K 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 see Right Side View on page 26 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 Start gt Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Mouse 2 Try adjusting the settings CHECK THE MOUSE CABLE Shut down the computer disconnect the mouse cable and check it for damage then 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 2 Disconnect the mouse 3 Tum 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 correct
137. te mode click the Start button click Turn off computer press lt Shift gt and then click Hibernate 50 Using a Battery Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power Options Properties window or the QuickSet Power Management Wizard you may also use one of the following methods to enter hibernate mode e Press the power button e Close the display e Press lt Fn gt lt Esc gt K NOTE Some PC Cards or Express Cards may not operate correctly after the computer exits hibernate mode Remove and reinsert the card see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank on page 63 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 For more information on hibernate mode see the documentation that came with your operating system 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 For more information about QuickSet right click the QuickSet icon in the taskbar and click Help Accessing Power Options Properties Click Start Control Panel Performance and Maintenance and then click Power Options Charging the Battery K NOTE Charge time is longer with the computer turned on You can leave the ba
138. 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 the missing computer 74 Securing Your Computer 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 A 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 90 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin K NOTE The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers Enter system setup review your computer s configuration information and ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and is active see Using the System Setup Program on page 141 Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or fro
139. ter has a light ensure that the light is on CONNECT THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET Bypass power protection devices power strips and extension cables to verify that the computer turns on ADJUST THE POWER PROPERTIES Search for the keyword sleep in Windows Help and Support SWITCH THE VIDEO IMAGE If your computer is attached to an external monitor press lt Fn gt lt F8 gt to switch the video image to the display 98 Troubleshooting If the display is difficult to read ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS Press lt Fn gt 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 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 Start gt Control Panel Display 2 Click the area you want to change or click the Display icon 3 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 on page 75 then conta
140. tests in the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 75 INSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA The operating system is trying to boot to nonbootable media such as a floppy disk or CD Insert bootable media 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 Using the System Setup Program on page 141 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 75 84 Troubleshooting 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 75 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 75 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 75 MEMORY ADDRES
141. the bottom of the page 3 Click Contact Us on the left side of the page Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need 5 Choose the method of contacting Dell that is convenient for you 132 Getting Help Specifications K NOTE Offerings may vary by region For more information regarding the configuration of your computer click Start click Help and Support and then select the option to view information about your computer Processor Processor type Intel Celeron L1 cache 32 KB L2 cache 1 MB External bus frequency 667 MHz Front Side Bus System Information System chipset Mobile Intel Express GM 965 Data bus width 64 bits DRAM bus width dual channel 2 64 bit buses Processor address bus width 36 bits Flash EPROM 2 MB PCI bus 32 bits ExpressCard NOTE The ExpressCard slot is designed only for ExpressCards It does NOT support PC Cards ExpressCard controller Intel ICH8M ExpressCard connector one ExpressCard slot 54 mm Cards supported ExpressCard 34 34 mm ExpressCard 54 54 mm 1 5 V and 3 3 V ExpressCard connector size 26 pins Specifications 133 8 in 1 Memory Card Reader 8 in 1 memory card controller 8 in 1 memory card connector Cards supported Ricoh R5C833 8 in 1 combo card connector Secure Digital SD e SDIO e MultiMediaCard MMC e Memory Stick e Memory Stick PRO e xD Picture Card Hi Speed SD e Hi Density SD Memory
142. the status of any Dell products that you have ordered you can go to support dell com or you can call the automated order status service A recording prompts you for the information needed to locate and report on your order For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 132 Problems With Your Order If you have a problem with your order such as missing parts wrong parts or incorrect billing contact Dell for customer assistance Have your invoice or packing slip handy when you call For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 132 Product Information If you need information about additional products available from Dell or if you would like to place an order visit the Dell website at www dell com For the telephone number to call for your region or to speak to a sales specialist see the Contacting Dell on page 132 Getting Help 129 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Prepare all items being returned whether for repair or credit as follows 1 Call Dell to obtain a Return Material Authorization Number and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 132 Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for the return 3 Include a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist see Diagnostics Checklist on page 131 indicating the tests that y
143. tion under How do you want to connect to the Internet and then click Next Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup Setting Up Your Computer Transferring Information to a New Computer You can transfer the following types of data from one computer to another e E mail messages e Toolbar settings e Window sizes e Internet bookmarks Use one of the following methods for transferring data e Windows Easy Transfer wizard an Easy Transfer Cable and a USB port e Over a network e Removable media such as a writable CD Windows Easy Transfer The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer You can transfer data such as e E mail messages e Toolbar settings e Window sizes e Internet bookmarks You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection or you can store it on removable media such as a writable CD for transfer to the new computer K NOTE You can transfer information from an old computer to a new computer by directly connecting a serial cable to the input output 1 0 ports of the two computers To transfer data over a serial connection you must access the Network Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration steps such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host computer and the guest computer For i
144. to support dell com select your country region and then click Drivers amp Downloads 2 Enter your Service Tag or product model and then click Go providing critical updates for your 3 Select your operating system and operating system and support for Dell language and then click Find Downloads 3 5 inch USB floppy drives Intel or under Downloads Search search for processors optical drives and USB the keyword Notebook System Software devices NSS is necessary for correct NOTE The support dell com user interface operation of your Dell computer may vary depending on your selections Finding Information 15 What Are You Looking For Find It Here 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 od icon on the taskbar For more information see Drive Problems on page 79 How to use Windows XP How to work with programs and files How to personalize your desktop Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center 1 Click Start Help and Support 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon 3 Sele
145. to support dell com and click DellConnect Online Services You can learn about Dell products and services on the following websites www dell com www dell com ap Asian Pacific countries only www dell com jp Japan only www euro dell com Europe only www dell com la Latin American and Caribbean countries www dell ca Canada only You can access Dell Support through the following websites and e mail addresses e Dell Support websites support dell com support jp dell com Japan only support euro dell com Europe only Dell Support e mail addresses mobile_support us dell com support us dell com la techsupport dell com Latin America and Caribbean countries only apsupport dell com Asian Pacific countries only 128 Getting Help e Dell Marketing and Sales e mail addresses apmarketing dell com Asian Pacific countries only sales_canada dell com Canada only e Anonymous file transfer protocol FTP ftp dell com Log in as user anonymous and use your e mail address as your password AutoTech Service Dell s automated support service AutoTech provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers about their portable and desktop computers When you call AutoTech use your touch tone telephone to select the subjects that correspond to your questions For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 132 Automated Order Status Service To check on
146. ttery in the computer for as long as you like The battery s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging 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 Using a Battery 51 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 battery light f flashes alternately blue and amber 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 For more information about resolving problems with a battery see Power Problems on page 93 Replacing the Battery A 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 A 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 c
147. twork cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer K NOTE Insert the cable connector until it clicks into place and then gently pull on 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 K NOTE Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall connector Setting Up and Using Networks 67 Setting Up a Network 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories gt Communications Network Setup Wizard Next Checklist for creating a network K 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 2 Complete the checklist 3 Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions in the wizard Wireless Local Area Network A wireless local area network 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 u
148. urage removal of the label What Are You Looking For Find It Here Solutions Troubleshooting hints and Dell Support Website support dell com tips articles from technicians online NOTE Select your region or business courses and frequently asked questions segment to view the appropriate support site Community Online discussion with To obtain documentation and software other Dell customers downloads for your computer go to Upgrades Upgrade information for support dell com and select Vostro components such as the memory hard from the Notebooks category 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 your computer configuration product specifications and white papers Downloads Certified drivers patches and software updates Notebook System Software NSS If To download Notebook System Software 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 1 Go
149. urning 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 or sleep mode NOTICE If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby or sleep mode it may lose data To enter standby mode click Start gt Turn off computer Stand by K NOTE If your computer is not responding pressing the power button for more than 10 seconds turns it off Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power Options Properties window or the QuickSet Power Management Wizard you may also use one of the following methods e Close the display e Press lt Fn gt lt Esc gt To exit standby or sleep mode press the power button or open the display depending on how you set the power management options You cannot make the computer exit standby or sleep mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad Hibernate Mode Hibernate mode conserves power by copying computer 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 enter hiberna
150. 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 K 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 gt Control Panel 2 Under Display click Settings 3 In the Display Settings window under Resolution move the slide bar to the left or right to decrease increase the screen resolution 40 Using the Display Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad 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 press lt Fn gt lt the desired key gt e To enable the keypad press lt Num Lk gt The light indicates that the keypad is active e To disable the keypad press lt Num Lk gt again Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 41 Key Combinations System Functions lt Ctrl gt lt Shift gt lt Esc gt Opens the Task Manager window Display Functions lt Fn gt
151. with a plastic blank installed in the memory card reader Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles Save the blank for use when no media memory card is installed in the slot blanks from other computers may not fit your computer Remove the blank before installing a media memory card To remove the blank see Removing a Memory Card or Blank on page 65 Using Cards 63 Installing a Memory Card You can install a media memory card in the computer while the computer is running The computer automatically detects the card Memory cards are generally marked with a symbol such as a triangle or an arrow or a label 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 A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide To install a memory card 1 Hold the card with the top side of the card facing up 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 R The computer recognizes the memory card and automatically loads the appropriate device driver If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer s drivers use the media that came with the memory card if applicable
152. with an emphasis on communications such as modems and NICs A Mini PCI card is a small external card that is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI expansion card Mini Card A small card designed for integrated peripherals such as communication NICs The Mini Card is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI expansion card Mobile Broadband network also known as a WWAN is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other through wireless cellular technology and 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 modem A device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers over analog telephone lines Three types of modems include external PC Card and internal You typically use your modem to connect to the Internet and exchange e mail module bay See media bay Glossary 157 MP megapixel A measure of image resolution used for digital cameras ms millisecond A measure of time that equals one thousandth of a second Access times of storage devices are often measured in ms network adapter A chip that provides network capabilities A computer may include a network adapter on its system board or it may contain a PC Car
153. wn menu under Color quality click Medium 16 bit Click OK Using Multimedia Using Cards ExpressCards ExpressCards provide additional memory wired and wireless communications multimedia and security features ExpressCards support two form factors ExpressCard 34 34 mm wide ExpressCard 54 54 mm wide in an L shape with a 34 mm connector The 34 mm card fits into both the 34 mm and 54 mm card slots The 54 mm card only fits into a 54 mm card slot See Specifications on page 133 for information on supported ExpressCards K NOTE An ExpressCard is not a bootable device 1 ExpressCard 34 2 ExpressCard 54 Using Cards 61 ExpressCard Blanks Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the ExpressCard slot Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles Save the blank for use when no ExpressCard is installed in the slot blanks from other computers may not fit your computer Remove the blank before installing an ExpressCard To remove the blank see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank on page 63 Installing an ExpressCard You can install an ExpressCard while the computer is running The computer automatically detects the card ExpressCards are generally marked with a symbol such as a triangle or an arrow or a label 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
154. ystem Tools Files and Settings Transfer Wizard When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears click Next On the Which computer is this screen click New ComputerNext On the Do you have a Windows XP CD screen click I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive gt Next Insert the removable media such as a writable CD and click OK When the disk creation completes and the Now go to your old computer message appears do not click Next Go to the old computer To copy data from the old computer 1 2 3 On the old computer insert the wizard disk Click Start gt Run In the Open field on the Run window browse to the path for fastwiz on the appropriate removable media and click OK Setting Up Your Computer 33 On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen click Next On the Which computer is this screen click Old Computer Next 6 On the Select a transfer method screen click the transfer method you prefer 7 On the What do you want to transfer screen select the items you want to transfer and click Next After the information has been copied the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears 8 Click Finish To transfer data to the new computer 1 On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer click Next 2 On the Where are the files and settings screen select the method you chose for transferring your settings and files and click Next

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