Me and My Dell For Inspiron, G-Series, XPS, and Alienware computers January 2021 Rev.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2011-2021 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Chapter 1: Setting up your computer............................................................................................. 7 Connecting to the internet................................................................................................................................................ 7 Connecting to the internet using LAN...................................................................................................................... 7 Connecting to the internet using WLAN.....
Memory module.................................................................................................................................................................. 21 System board...................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Chipset................................................................................................................................................
Visual Graphics Array....................................................................................................................................................... 39 Digital Visual Interface..................................................................................................................................................... 39 DisplayPort....................................................................................................................................................
Migration tips..................................................................................................................................................................... 58 Ergonomic instructions.................................................................................................................................................... 59 Dell and the environment...................................................................................................................................
1 Setting up your computer The setup procedure varies according to your computer. For setup instructions specific to your computer or tablet, see the Quick Start Guide shipped with your computer or see the Setup and Specifications at www.dell.com/support. Connecting to the internet You can connect your computer to the internet using cable, DSL, dial‑up, or a WWAN connection. You may also install a wired or wireless router to share your cable or DSL internet connection with multiple devices.
Windows 7 1. Click or tap the wireless icon in the notification menu. 2. Click the network you want to connect to. 3. Click Connect. NOTE: Enter the network password, if prompted. You may have configured the network key while setting up the router or the router may have a default network key. For details, contact the router manufacturer. 4. Turn on or off file sharing (optional).
NOTE: On computers with a discrete sound card, connect the speakers to the connectors on the card. Configuring 5.1 and 7.1 audio Configure your computer to provide multi-channel audio output. Windows 10 and 8.1 1. Type Audio in the search box. NOTE: In Windows 10, click or tap the search icon to access the search box. In Windows 8.1, access the search charm to access the search box. 2. Click or tap Manage audio devices. 3. Under the Playback tab, click or tap Speakers or Headphones. 4.
Connecting 5.1 speakers Figure 1. Connecting 5.1 speakers 1. 3. 5. 7. Rear audio connector on the computer Front audio connector on the computer Center/LFE surround out on the speaker Rear audio connector on the speaker 2. Center/LFE surround out on the computer 4. 5.1 channel audio cable 6. Front audio connector on the speaker Connecting 7.1 speakers Figure 2. Connecting 7.1 speakers 1. Rear audio connector on the computer 3. Side audio connector on the computer 5. 7.
7. Front audio connector on the speaker 9. Side audio connector on the speaker 8. Rear audio connector on the speaker Setting up your printer You can connect a printer to the USB port on your computer. Some printers may also support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. NOTE: The features of the printer and the steps to install may vary depending on the printer model. For more information on setting up the printer, see the documentation shipped with your printer.
Setting up Bluetooth You can enable Bluetooth on your computer by turning on the wireless. Most computers and tablets are shipped with a built-in Bluetooth card. For more information about pairing your device with your computer, see Using Bluetooth. NOTE: To find out if your computer or tablet has an internal Bluetooth card, see the Quick Start Guide shipped with your computer or see the Setup and Specifications at www.dell.com/support.
2. Choose Change Display Settings on the left. 3. In the Change Display Settings window, click and drag the virtual monitors to mimic your physical setup. 4. Click OK to finish. Windows 7 1. Close all open programs. 2. Hold down the Windows logo key and press the P key on your keyboard. 3. Select one of the following options: ● Computer only—Show the screen image only on your laptop monitor. ● Duplicate—Duplicate your laptop screen image on both monitors based on the monitor with the lower resolution.
2 About your computer This section provides more information on the components which can be found in your computer. Power adapter Power adapters are used to supply power to portable computers, tablets, and certain desktop computers. The Dell poweradapter kit consists of the power adapter and the power cable. The power‑adapter rating (90 W, 65 W, and so on) depends on the device it is designed for, and the power cable varies based on the country where the power adapter is shipped.
Coin-cell battery Coin-cell battery provides power to the Complementary Metal‑Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip while the computer is turned off. The CMOS chip contains the time, date, and other configuration information about your computer. Under normal usage conditions, the coin-cell battery can last for several years. Factors affecting the coin‑cell battery life are the type of system board, temperature, the time for which the computer is powered off, and so on.
Wireless display The wireless display feature enables you to share your computer display with a compatible TV without the use of cables. To check if your TV supports this feature, see the documentation of the TV. NOTE: Wireless display may not be supported on all computers. For more information, see www.intel.com. Camera Webcam The webcam enables you to video chat, capture photos, and record videos.
Keyboard backlight The backlight present on some physical keyboards illuminate the symbols on the keys for using the keyboard in dark environments. You can turn on the backlight manually or configure the backlight to turn on automatically when your computer is placed in a dark environment. The backlit keyboards on Dell laptops have different lighting states. Press the Fn and the right-arrow key to switch between the various lighting states.
Keyboard connection types Keyboards can be connected to your computer with a cable (wired) or using wireless signals (wireless). Wired Wired keyboards are connected to the computer using a cable (generally USB) and do not require additional power source, such as batteries. Wireless Wireless keyboards use Radio Frequency (RF) or Bluetooth (BT) to connect to your computer.
Storage device Storage devices allow you to store data for later use. Storage devices can be internal or external. Most storage devices store data until you manually delete the data. Examples of storage devices are hard‑disk drives (HDD), solid‑state drives (SSD), optical-disc drives, flash drives, and so on. Internal storage devices Internal storage devices are installed on your computer and generally cannot be removed while the computer is turned on.
Table 1.
Table 1. Examples of common types of memory cards Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick (MS)/Memory Stick Pro (MS Pro) Smart Media/Smart Media XD Memory module A memory module stores temporary data that your computer needs to perform tasks. Any file or application loads in the memory modules before you can open or use them. Memory modules are categorized based on their capacity (in GB) and speed (in MHz).
Chipset The chipset controls the components on the system board and enables communication between various components. Generally, the chipset is part of the system board. However, with some new generation processors, the chipset may be integrated in the processor. Processor Processors receive data and instructions from applications and process the data as requested by the software. Processors are designed specifically for desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and so on.
Thermal grease Thermal grease, also called thermal gel or thermal compound, is used to create a heat-inductive layer between a processor and heat sink. Applying thermal grease between the processor and heat sink increases the heat transfer from the processor to the heat sink, as the thermal grease has better conductivity than air. Video card Video cards process graphics data and send video output to a display device such as a monitor or projector.
TV tuners are mostly standalone, however some video cards also have built-in TV tuners. For more information on using TV tuners, see the documentation for the TV tuner. Speakers Laptops and tablets have built-in speakers for audio output. Desktops also have a built-in speaker. However, they are used only to produce beeps to indicate errors or failures. You can also connect external speakers to your computer or tablet. Speakers may support 3.
7.1 Audio 7.1 refers to the number of audio channels in high-end surround-sound configurations. A 7.1 audio system uses two additional speakers (rear left and rear right) in combination with the 5.1 audio system. For more information on setting up audio, see Setting up audio. Webcam A webcam enables you to capture videos and photos, and can also be used for video calls. Your display may have a built-in webcam or you can connect external webcam to your computer.
Router A router is a device that forwards data between computer networks. The most familiar type of routers are home and small office routers that allow you to share your internet connection between multiple devices at the same time. Routers can be wired or wireless. A wired router allows you to connect your computer using a Ethernet (RJ45) cable. Most wired home routers have four ports allowing you to connect up to four computers to the internet at the same time.
3 Using your computer Charging the battery Connect the power adapter to your computer or tablet to charge the battery. The battery gets charged when the computer or tablet is in use or turned off. The internal circuitry of the battery prevents it from overcharging. NOTE: If the battery becomes too hot due to being in a hot environment, it may not charge when you connect the power adapter. Allow the battery to cool down for it to resume charging.
Table 2. List of keyboard shortcuts F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F10 Activate the menu bar in the active program. Ctrl and c Copy a selected item. Ctrl and x Cut a selected item. Ctrl and v Paste a selected item. Ctrl and z Undo an action. Ctrl and a Select all items in a document or window. Ctrl and F4 Close the active window (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously).
Table 3. List of keyboard shortcuts Ctrl and + Zoom in to a large number of items on the screen such as apps pinned on the Start screen. Ctrl and - Zoom out of a large number of items on the screen such as apps pinned on the Start screen. Windows key and c Open the charms sidebar. Windows key and f Open the Search charm to search files on your computer. Windows key and h Open the Search charm. Windows key and i Open the Settings charm.
2. 3. 4. 5. NOTE: In Windows 10, click or tap the search icon to access the search box. In Windows 8.1, access the Search charm to access the search box. Click Control Panel. If your Control Panel is displayed by Category, click or tap on the View by: drop-down menu and select Small icons or Large icons. Click or tap Keyboard. Adjust the keyboard settings you want to change and click or tap OK to save the settings and close the window. Windows 7 1. 2. 3. 4. Click Start > Control Panel.
Touchpad gestures NOTE: Some touchpad gestures may not be supported on your computer. NOTE: You can change the touchpad gestures settings by double‑clicking the touchpad icon in the notification area. Your computer may support Scroll, Zoom, Rotate, Flick, and Quick Launch gestures. Table 4. List of touchpad gestures (continued) Scroll Pan—Move the focus on the selected object when the entire object is not visible. Move two fingers in the desired direction to pan scroll the selected object.
Table 4. List of touchpad gestures Keeping the thumb in place, move the index finger in an arched direction right or left to rotate the selected item 90‑degree clockwise or counterclockwise. Flick Flip content forward or backward. Move three fingers quickly to the left or right to flip content backwards or forward. Quick Launch Open your favorite applications. Tap three fingers on the touchpad to launch the preconfigured application.
Table 5. List of touch screen gestures (continued) Place two fingers on the touch screen and then bring them closer to zoom‑out. Dwell Touch and hold the item on the screen to open the context menu. Flick Move a finger quickly in the desired direction to flip through content in the active window like pages in a book.
Table 5. List of touch screen gestures Scroll Vertical–Scroll up or scroll down on the active window. Move a finger up or down to start vertical scrolling. Scroll Horizontal–Scroll right or left on the active window. Move a finger to the right or left to start horizontal scrolling. Using Bluetooth You can connect (pair) Bluetooth devices such as mice, keyboard, headsets, phones, TV, and so on. For details on pairing the device with your computer, see the documentation of the device.
Windows 8.1 1. Enable Bluetooth on your computer or tablet and the device you are pairing. On a Dell laptop, turn on wireless to enable Bluetooth. NOTE: For information to turn on Bluetooth on your device, see the documentation shipped with your device. 2. Right-click the Bluetooth icon in the notification area of your taskbar and click or tap Add a Device. NOTE: If you are unable to locate the Bluetooth icon, click or tap the arrow next to the notification area. 3.
Selecting the camera and microphone If your computer has multiple webcams or microphones (integrated or external), you can select the webcam and microphone you want to use with Dell Webcam Central. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 36 Open Dell Webcam Central. Click or tap the drop‑down arrow next to the camera icon at the bottom‑left corner of the window. Click or tap the camera you want to use. Click or tap the Record Videos tab. Click or tap the drop‑down arrow next to the microphone icon below the preview area.
4 Ports and connectors Audio Audio connectors allow you to connect speakers, headphones, microphones, sound systems, amplifiers, or TVs audio output. NOTE: Your computer may not support all the audio ports. For information on the ports available on your computer or tablet, see the Quick Start Guide shipped with your computer or see the Setup and Specifications at www.dell.com/ support. Types of audio ports Table 6. Types of audio ports Headphone port—Connect headphones, powered speaker, or sound system.
Table 6. Types of audio ports RCA S/PDIF port—Transmits digital audio without the need of analog audio conversion. Optical S/PDIF port—Transmits digital audio, using optical signals, without the need of analog audio conversion. USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) enables you to connect peripherals to a computer or a tablet. These peripherals include the mouse, keyboard, printer, external drives, cameras, phones, and so on.
Table 8. USB standards USB PowerShare The USB PowerShare feature enables you to charge USB devices when the computer is powered off or is in sleep state. The icon indicates that the USB port supports PowerShare feature. NOTE: Certain USB devices may not charge when the computer is powered off or in sleep state. In such cases, turn on the computer to charge the device. NOTE: If you turn off your computer while charging a USB device, the device may stop charging.
Mini DisplayPort Mini DisplayPort is a smaller version of the DisplayPort. NOTE: DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort are compatible with each other but the ports and connectors vary in size. If the port sizes are different, use a converter.
5 Software and Applications Absolute Absolute provides persistent endpoint security and data risk management solutions for computers, tablets, and smartphones. Persistence technology enables you to consistently assess risk, secure the lifecycle of each device, and preemptively respond to security incidents. NOTE: Persistence technology may not be supported on all computers. Getting Help on Absolute Dell provides help on persistence technology through Absolute Software.
○ Backup and Recovery—Access system recovery tools that allow you to: ￭ Create a Dell Factory Image Restore file on your computer to restore your computer at a later point. ￭ Create a Backup and Recovery media. ○ System Performance Improvement Offers—Acquire software and hardware solutions that help improve your system performance. Quickset Quickset is a suite of software applications that provide enhanced functionality to your Dell computer.
Table 9. Keyboard shortcuts for 3D gaming Keys Description Function Captures a 3D screen shot of the current game, and saves the file in a folder in the Documents folder. To view the file, use the NVIDIA 3D Photo Viewer. Shows/hides in-game compatibility Displays the NVIDIA recommended settings for the message current game.
6 Restoring your operating system System recovery options CAUTION: Using Dell Factory Image Restore or the operating system disc permanently deletes all files on your computer. If possible, back up your data files before using these options. You can restore the operating system on your computer using one of the following options: Table 10. System recovery options Option Description Dell Backup and Recovery Use this option as the first solution to recover your operating system.
Table 11. Dell Backup and Recovery features Features Basic Premium Create a full system backup including applications and settings Merge multiple backups and archive old backups Backup and restore files based on type Dell Backup and Recovery Basic Accessing Dell Backup and Recovery Windows 10 1. Click Start, type Backup in the search box. 2. Click the Dell Backup and Recovery icon and follow the on-screen instructions. Windows 8 1. Access the search charm. 2.
Upgrading to Dell Backup and Recovery premium 1. Launch Dell Backup and Recovery. 2. Click or tap the Backup tile and select Data Backup. 3. Click or tap Upgrade to Dell Backup and Recovery Premium. Restoring data from a system backup 1. Launch Dell Backup and Recovery. 2. Click or tap the Backup tile and select System Backup. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. Restoring specific files or folders from a Full System Backup 1. Launch Dell Backup and Recovery. 2.
After two failed attempts to boot the operating system, the boot sequence automatically attempts to perform system recovery options and perform an automatic repair. Starting Dell Factory Image Restore NOTE: Using Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before performing Dell Factory Image Restore.
5. Click or tap Next and follow the on-screen instructions. Undoing the last system restore 1. 2. 3. 4. Right-click (or press and hold) the Start button, and then select Control Panel. Click or tap Security and Maintenance. Click or tap Recovery. Click or tap Open System Restore and follow the on-screen instructions to undo the last system restore. Windows 8.1 Using system restore 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Click or tap Settings in the charms sidebar. Click or tap Control Panel. Type Recovery in the search box.
NOTE: The Operating System disc is optional and may not ship with your computer. You can use the operating system disc to install or reinstall the operating system on your computer. You must reinstall all drivers and software after reinstalling the operating system using the operating system disc. Reinstalling the operating system using the Operating System disc To reinstall the operating system: 1. Insert the Operating System disc and restart the computer. 2.
7 Troubleshooting Basic troubleshooting steps This section lists some basic troubleshooting steps you can use to resolve common issues with your computer. ● ● ● ● ● ● Ensure your computer is turned on and all the components are receiving power. Ensure all the cables are firmly connected to the respective ports. Ensure that the cables are not damaged or frayed. Ensure that there are no bent or broken pins on the connectors. Restart your computer and check whether the problem persists.
Enhanced PSA You can use the Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA) to diagnose various hardware problems. The ePSA tests devices such as the system board, keyboard, display, memory, hard drive, and so on. NOTE: ePSA may not be supported on all computers. The ePSA home screen is divided into three areas: ● Devices window—Appears on the left of the ePSA home screen. It displays all the devices in your computer and can be used to select devices.
If the PSA completes successfully, the following message appears on your screen: No problems have been found with this system so far. Do you want to run the remaining memory tests? This will take about 30 minutes or more. Do you want to continue? (Recommended). Press to continue if you are experiencing memory issue, otherwise press to finish the test. If the ePSA completes with errors, the following message appears on your screen: Testing completed. One or more errors were detected.
8 BIOS BIOS stores hardware information about your computer and passes on the information to the operating system when the computer boots up. You can make changes to the basic hardware settings stored in the BIOS using BIOS setup program. You can use BIOS setup program to: ● Set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password. ● Determine the devices installed on your computer, such as amount of memory, type of hard drive, and so on.
Use system‑board jumper NOTE: System-board jumper is available only on desktop computers. Almost all system boards on desktop computers contain a jumper to clear CMOS settings along with the BIOS password. The location of this jumper varies depending upon the system board. Look for the jumpers near the CMOS battery, usually labeled as CLR, CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, and so on. For procedure on clearing passwords and clearing CMOS settings, see your computer Service Manual at www.dell.com/support.
9 Getting help and contacting Dell Self-help resources You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these self-help resources: Table 13. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter. Online help for operating system www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.
10 References Computer maintenance It ● ● ● ● ● ● is recommended that you perform the following tasks to avoid general computer problems: Provide direct access to a power source, adequate ventilation, and a level surface to place your computer. Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Back up your data regularly. Perform a virus scan regularly. Check your computer for errors using SupportAssist and other tools available on your computer.
Windows 7 1. Click Start > Control Panel > Power Options. 2. You can choose from a plan from the list of options available depending on your computer usage. 3. To modify the power settings, click Change plan settings. Configuring the power button behavior To configure the power button behavior: Windows 10 and 8.1 1. Click or tap Start > All apps. 2. Under Windows System, click or tap Control Panel. NOTE: For Windows 8.1/Windows RT click or tap Settings in the charms sidebar and click or tap Control panel.
The operating time of your battery significantly reduces if you use: ● Optical drives ● Wireless communication devices, ExpressCards, media cards, or USB devices. ● High-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power‑intensive programs like complex 3D graphics applications and games. You can improve the battery performance by: ● Operating the computer on AC power when possible. Battery life reduces with the number of times the battery is discharged and recharged.
CAUTION: While there are several utilities that simplify migration, it is recommended that you backup your files like pictures, music, documents, and so on. Migrating from one Windows operating system to a newer Windows operating system While migrating to a newer operating system, refer to the Microsoft guidelines provided for migration from one operating system to another. For more information, see www.microsoft.com. Ergonomic instructions CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury.
1. Monitor at or below eye level 3. Monitor stand 5. Arms at desk level 2. Monitor and keyboard positioned directly in front of the user 4. Feet flat on the floor 6. Wrists relaxed and flat NOTE: For the latest ergonomic instructions, see www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Dell and the environment Green is not about limitation, it is about possibility. It is about finding a better way.
Table 14. Dell and the environment (continued) used in our packaging is sourced from a forest far away from pandas’ known habitats. Join the Plant a Tree program Dell created the Plant a Tree program to make it easy for you to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from your computer equipment and to help build a healthier planet—one tree and forest at a time. For more information, see www.dell.com/ plantatree.
