Dell Precision™ M4300 User’s Guide w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l .
Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see "Glossary" on page 149.
Contents 1 Finding Information 2 About Your Computer Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Left Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right Side View Back View 13 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing the Battery Storing a Battery . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using an External Monitor Simultaneously as an Extension of Your Computer Display 47 Microsoft® Windows® XP Windows Vista® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 47 Using an External Monitor as Your Primary Display: Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Microsoft® Windows® XP Windows Vista® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extended Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard . PC Card . . . ExpressCard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing a Card or Blank . 9 61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock Smart Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . Error Messages 77 78 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 IEEE 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If only part of the display is readable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 11 System Setup Program Overview . Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Commonly Used Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the Boot Sequence. Changing COM Ports . . . . . . .
Before Working Inside Your Computer Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 18 Appendix Cleaning Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Macrovision Product Notice . FCC Notice (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer. What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • • • • Drivers and Utilities Media NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media may be optional and may not ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • How to set up my computer • Basic troubleshooting information • How to run the Dell Diagnostics Quick Reference Guide NOTE: This document may be optional and may not ship with your computer. NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at support.dell.com. • • • • • • Warranty information Terms and Conditions (U.S.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked questions • Community — Online discussion with other Dell customers • Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system • Customer Care — Contact information, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information • Service and support — Service call status and support history, service contract, o
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here ® • How to use Windows XP and Windows Vista • How to work with programs and files • How to personalize my desktop Windows Help and Support Center 1 Click Start or →Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen.
About Your Computer Front View 1 2 3 13 12 4 11 10 5 9 6 8 7 About Your Computer 13
1 display latch 2 display 3 power button 4 device status lights 5 speakers (2) 6 keyboard 7 touch pad 8 touch pad/track stick buttons 9 track stick 10 keyboard status lights 11 volume control buttons 12 mute button 13 ambient light sensor DISPLAY LATCH DISPLAY — Keeps the display closed. — For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on page 45.
Turns on when you turn on the computer and blinks when the computer is in a power management mode. Turns on when the computer reads or writes data. NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the light is flashing. Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status. Turns on when wireless devices are enabled. To enable or disable WiFi, use the wireless switch on the left side of the computer. Turns on when Bluetooth® wireless technology is enabled.
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following: 9 Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled. A Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled. Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled. VOLUME CONTROL BUTTONS MUTE BUTTON — Press this button to turn off the speakers. AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR — Helps to control display brightness. For more information, see "Using the Ambient Light Sensor" on page 48.
Left Side View 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 security cable slot 2 air vents 3 IEEE 1394 connector 4 audio connectors 5 ExpressCard slot 6 wireless switch 8 PC Card slot 9 smart card slot 7 ™ Wi-Fi Catcher light SECURITY CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. For more information, see "Security Cable Lock" on page 65. NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.
AUDIO CONNECTORS Attach headphones to the connector. Attach a microphone to the connector. E X P R E S S C A R D S L O T — Supports 34- and 54-mm PCI ExpressCards or USB-based ExpressCards (see "Using Cards" on page 61). WIRELESS SWITCH — Turns on/off wireless devices such as WiFi and internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology and scans for WiFi networks. For more information about scanning for wireless networks, see "Dell™ WiFi Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 58.
WIRELESS SWITCH POSITIONS "off" Disables wireless devices. "on" Enables wireless devices. "momentary" Scans for WiFi networks. See "Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 58 for more information.
USB CONNECTORS Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. Back View CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.
POWERED USB 2. 0 C O N N E C T O R Connects USB 2.0 compliant devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. Can also be used for peripherals that require more than 5 V of power. MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11) Connects the telephone line to the modem connector (if you ordered the optional internal modem). For information on using the modem, see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer (see "Finding Information" on page 9).
The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off. CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.
Bottom View 1 2 6 5 4 3 1 battery-bay latch release 2 battery 3 memory module cover 4 docking-device connector 5 fan air vents 6 hard drive BATTERY-BAY LATCH RELEASE — Releases the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 33 for instructions. 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 29).
24 About Your Computer
Transferring Information to a New Computer The Microsoft® Windows® 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-mail messages • Toolbar settings • Window sizes • Internet bookmarks You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on a removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.
4 On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next. 5 On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next. 6 On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer. 7 On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next. After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears. 8 Click Finish.
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.
28
Using a Battery Battery Performance NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer. For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell™ portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion battery. See "Battery Disposal" in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures above 65°C (149°F). Keep the battery away from children.
Check the Battery Health NOTE: You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge on the battery as described below and by using the Battery Meter in Dell QuickSet. For information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft® Windows® taskbar, and click Help. To check the battery health using the charge gauge, press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds.
• Click Start→Shut Down→Stand by. or • Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power Options Properties window or the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, use one of the following methods: – Press the power button. – Close the display. – Press . To exit standby 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 mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad or track stick.
Configuring Power Management Settings You can use the QuickSet Power Management Wizard or Windows Power Options Properties to configure the power management settings on your computer. • To access the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, double-click the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft® Windows® taskbar. For more information about QuickSet, click the Help button in the Power Management Wizard. • To access the Power Options Properties window, click Start→Control Panel→Performance and Maintenance→Power Options.
1 If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions. 2 Ensure that the computer is turned off. 3 Slide the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer until the release clicks. 4 Using the tab on the battery, lift the battery out of the computer.
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external keyboard. Each key on the keypad has multiple functions. The keypad numbers and symbols are marked in blue on the right of the keypad keys. To type a number or symbol, hold down and press the desired key. • To enable the keypad, press . The • To disable the keypad, press again. 9 light indicates that the keypad is active.
Battery Displays the Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter Display Functions Switches display output scaling from full-screen to centered to standard aspect ratio scaling for non-native resolutions on LCD or external display. Switches the video image to the next display option. The options include the integrated display, an external monitor, and both displays simultaneously.
Windows logo key and Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box (if the computer is connected to a network). Windows logo key and Opens the System Properties dialog box. To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate, click→Control Panel→Printers and Other Hardware→Keyboard. For information about the Control Panel, see the Windows Help and Support Center (click the Start button or the Windows Vista® Start button →Help and Support.
• To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad. On the second tap, leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding your finger over the surface. • To double-click an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch-pad button twice. You can also use the track stick to move the cursor.
1 Pull the cap off the track stick. 2 Align the new cap over the square track-stick post and gently press the cap down onto the post. NOTICE: The track stick can damage the display if it is not properly seated on the post. 3 Test the track stick to ensure that the cap is seated properly.
40 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Using Multimedia Playing CDs or DVDs NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep the tray closed when you are not using the drive. NOTICE: Do not move the computer while playing CDs or DVDs. 1 Press the eject button on the front of the drive. 2 Pull out the tray. 3 Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray and snap the disc onto the spindle.
4 Push the tray back into the drive. To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the CD software that came with your computer. NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs. Adjusting the Volume NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing. 1 Open the Volume Control window. 2 Click and drag the bar in the Volume Control column and slide it up or down to increase or decrease the volume.
Microsoft Windows XP 1 Click Start→Control Panel→Appearance and Themes. 2 Under Pick a task..., click Change the screen resolution. 3 Under Screen resolution, click and drag the bar to reduce the resolution setting. 4 In the drop-down menu under Color quality, click Medium (16 bit) and click OK. Microsoft Windows Vista® Operating System 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button Personalization. , click Control Panel, and then click Appearance and 2 Under Personalization, click Adjust Screen Resolution.
Microsoft Windows XP 1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2 Double-click Display and click the Settings tab. 3 Click Advanced. 4 Click the tab for your video card. NOTE: To determine the type of video card installed in your computer, see the Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center, click Start→Help and Support. Under Pick a Task, click Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems.
Using the Display Adjusting Brightness When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power by setting the display brightness to the lowest comfortable setting by pressing and the up- or down-arrow key on the keyboard. NOTE: Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your portable computer, not monitors or projectors that you attach to your portable computer or docking device.
You can enhance the legibility of text and change the appearance of images on the screen by adjusting display resolution. As you increase resolution, items appear smaller on the screen. In contrast, lower resolution causes text and images to appear larger and can benefit people with vision impairments. To display a program at a specific resolution, both the video card and the display must support the program, and the necessary video drivers must be installed.
Using an External Monitor Simultaneously as an Extension of Your Computer Display You can attach an external monitor or projector to your computer and use it as an extension of your display (known as "dual independent display" or "extended desktop" mode). This mode allows you to use both screens independently and drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the amount of viewable work space.
3 In the Display Settings window, click the monitor 2 icon, click the Extend the desktop onto this monitor check box, and then click Apply. 4 Click OK to close the Display Settings window. To disable extended desktop mode: 1 In the Display Settings window, click the Settings tab. 2 Click the monitor 2 icon, uncheck the Extend the desktop onto this monitor option, and then click Apply.
1 1 ambient light sensor The ambient light sensor is disabled when your computer is shipped to you. If you enable the sensor and then use any of the display brightness key combinations, the sensor is disabled and the display brightness is increased or decreased accordingly. Dell™ QuickSet allows you to enable or disable the ambient light sensor feature. You can also adjust maximum and minimum brightness settings that are activated when you enable the ambient light sensor feature.
50 Using the Display
Setting Up and Using Networks 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 network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer. NOTE: Insert the cable connector until it clicks into place, and then gently pull the cable to ensure that it is securely attached.
Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows Vista® 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button →Connect To→Set up a connection or network. 2 Select an option under Choose a connection option. 3 Click Next, and then follow the instructions in the wizard. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) A WLAN is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the air waves rather than through a network cable connected to each computer.
The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears. The wireless network card’s name and model number are listed on the General tab. NOTE: If your computer is set to the Classic Start menu option, you can view network connections by clicking Start→Settings→Network Connections. If Wireless Network Connection does not appear, you may not have a wireless network card.
13 Start your computer and wait until the boot process completes. 14 See the documentation that came with your wireless router to do the following in order to set up the wireless router: • Establish communication between your computer and your wireless router. • Configure your wireless router to communicate with your broadband router. • Find out your wireless router’s broadcast name. The technical term for the name of your router’s broadcast name is Service Set Identifier (SSID) or network name.
If the Choose a wireless network window states Click an item in the list below to connect to a wireless network in range or to get more information, the Windows XP operating system is managing the wireless network card. To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless network card in Windows Vista: 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button →Connect To→Manage wireless networks. 2 Double-click a profile to open the wireless network properties screen.
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) Much like a WLAN, a Mobile Broadband network (also known as a WWAN) is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other through wireless technology. However, a Mobile Broadband network uses cellular technology and therefore provides Internet access in the same varied locations from which cellular telephone service is available.
NOTE: The Mobile Broadband card is listed under Modems. Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network NOTE: These instructions only apply to Mobile Broadband ExpressCards or Mini-Cards. They do not apply to internal cards with wireless technology. NOTE: Before you connect to the Internet, you must activate Mobile Broadband service through your cellular service provider.
Managing Your Network Settings Through the Dell QuickSet Location Profiler The QuickSet Location Profiler helps you manage network settings that correspond to your computer’s physical location. It includes two categories of profile settings: • Location Profile Settings • General Mobility Settings You can use Location Profile Settings to create profiles for accessing the Internet with your computer in your office, home, or other public places with Internet services.
For more information, see the Help and Support Center for the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system. To access the Help and Support Center, click the Start button or the Windows Vista Start button →Help and Support.
60 Setting Up and Using Networks
Using Cards Card Types See "Specifications" on page 131 for information on supported card types. NOTE: A PC Card is not a bootable device. The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II card. The PC Card slot supports CardBus technology and extended PC Cards. "Type" of card refers to its thickness, not its functionality. The ExpressCard slot has one connector that supports 54-mm cards. The slot also supports adapters for 34-mm cards.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. PC Card 1 Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the top side of the card facing up. The latch may need to be in the "in" position before you insert the card. 2 Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its connector. If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and try again.
The computer recognizes most cards and automatically loads the appropriate device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer's drivers, use the floppy disk or CD that came with the card. If you have an adapter, such as the one shown below, you can use 34-mm ExpressCards in the PC Card slot. For information about using the PC Card slot, see "PC Card" on page 62.
NOTICE: Click the icon (in the taskbar) to select a card and stop it from functioning before you remove it from the computer. If you do not stop the card in the configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not attempt to eject a card by pulling its cable, if one is attached. Press the latch and remove the card or blank. For some latches, you must press the latch twice: once to pop the latch out, and then a second time to pop the card out.
Securing Your Computer NOTE: For information on how to secure your computer while traveling, see "Traveling With Your Computer" on page 97. Security Cable Lock NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your computer. 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.
Installing a Smart Card You can install a smart card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card. To install a smart card: 1 Hold the card so that the gold contact pad is facing upward and pointing toward the smart card slot. 1 2 1 gold contact pad 2 smart card (top) 2 Slide the smart card into the smart card slot until the card is completely seated in its connector. The smart card protrudes approximately .5 inch from the slot.
A primary (or system) password, an administrator password, and a hard drive password all prevent unauthorized access to your computer in different ways. The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your computer.
When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in the system setup program. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access to the computer. The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password.
There are two behaviors associated with this feature that help to preserve the integrity of the hard disk’s password: • The administrative password will only work to unlock a hard disk on the computer on which the hard disk password was created. This means a password-protected hard disk can not be removed from one computer, placed in a second computer and be unlocked using the administrative password on the second computer.
d Once the process is complete, the computer either restarts automatically or prompts you to restart your computer.
The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the computer Service Tag and record the computer as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service Tag, the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The representative will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer.
72 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.
a When the DELL™ logo appears, press immediately. Select Diagnostics from the boot menu and press . 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. NOTE: Before attempting option B, the computer must be powered down completely. b Press and hold the key while powering the computer on.
Option Function Test Memory Runs the stand-alone memory test Test System Runs System Diagnostics Exit Exits the Diagnostics 2 After you have selected the Test System option from the main menu, the following menu appears. NOTE: It is recommended that you select Extended Test from the menu below to run a more thorough check of devices in the computer. Option Function Express Test Performs a quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10 to 20 minutes.
Tab Function (continued) Help Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test. Configuration Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device. The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen.
• Check your computing environment. • View the Dell Support Utility settings. • Access the help file for the Dell Support Utility. • View frequently asked questions. • Learn more about the Dell Support Utility. • Turn the Dell Support Utility off. Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Double-click the icon to manually check your computing environment, view frequently asked questions, access the help file for the Dell Support Utility, and view Dell Support settings.
CD and DVD drive problems NOTE: High-speed CD or DVD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD or DVD. NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives. Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive C L O S E O T H E R P R O G R A M S — The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs.
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. 4 Click Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors→Start. E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone connector only.
the keyword spyware. Error Messages Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 143) as you complete these checks. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.
computer, remove the hard drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 108), and boot the computer from a CD or DVD. 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 73). H A R D - D I S K D R I V E C O N T R O L L E R F A I L U R E 0 — The hard drive does not respond to commands from the computer.
faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 115) and, if necessary, replace them. M E M O R Y W R I T E / R E A D F A I L U R E A T A D D R E S S , R E A D V A L U E E X P E C T I N G V A L U E — A memory module may be faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 115) and, if necessary, replace them. N O B O O T D E V I C E A V A I L A B L E — The computer cannot find the hard drive.
Setup Program" on page 93). T I M E R C H I P C O U N T E R 2 F A I L E D — A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 73). U N E X P E C T E D I N T E R R U P T I N P R O T E C T E D M O D E — 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 73). X:\ IS NOT ACCESSIBLE.
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. External keyboard problems NOTE: When you attach an external keyboard, the integrated keyboard remains fully functional. C H E C K T H E K E Y B O A R D C A B L E — Shut down the computer. Disconnect the keyboard cable and check it for damage, and firmly reconnect the cable.
The computer does not start up ENSURE THAT THE AC ADAPTER IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET. The computer stops responding NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown. TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F — 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.
• If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
network connector on the back of the computer and the network connector. C H E C K T H E N E T W O R K L I G H T S O N T H E N E T W O R K C O N N E C T O R — No light indicates that no network communication exists. Replace the network cable. P L U G T H E A / C P O W E R A D A P T E R I N T O T H E C O M P U T E R — If batter power only, the QuickSet utility can disable the onboard network card to save battery life. For more information on the QuickSet utility, see "Dell™ QuickSet" on page 129.
If the battery status light flashes green and orange, the battery is too hot to charge. Shut down the computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet, and then let the battery and computer cool to room temperature. If the battery status light rapidly flashes orange, the battery may be defective. Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 142). C H E C K T H E B A T T E R Y T E M P E R A T U R E — If the battery temperature is below 0° C (32° F), the computer will not start up.
Printer Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 143) as you complete these checks. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer’s manufacturer. ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS — • See the printer documentation for cable connection information.
Sound and Speaker Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 143) as you complete these checks. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. No sound from integrated speakers A D J U S T T H E W I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L — 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.
C H E C K T H E M O U S E C A B L E — Shut down the computer. Disconnect the mouse cable, check it for damage, and firmly reconnect the cable. If you are using a mouse extension cable, disconnect it and connect the mouse directly to the computer. TO V E R I F Y T H A T T H E P R O B L E M I S W I T H T H E M O U S E , C H E C K T H E T O U C H P A D — 1 Shut down the computer. 2 Disconnect the mouse. 3 Turn on the computer.
If the display is difficult to read A D J U S T T H E B R I G H T N E S S — Press and the up- or down-arrow key. M O V E T H E E X T E R N A L S U B W O O F E R A W A Y F R O M T H E C O M P U T E R O R M O N I T O R — 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. E L I M I N A T E P O S S I B L E I N T E R F E R E N C E — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, or other appliances.
System Setup Program Overview NOTE: Your operating system may automatically configure most of the options available in the system setup program, thus overriding options that you set through the system setup program. (An exception is the External Hot Key option, which you can disable or enable only through the system setup program.) For more information → on configuring features for your operating system, access the Help and Support Center (click Start or Help and Support).
System Setup Screens NOTE: For information about a specific item on a system setup screen, highlight the item and see the Help area on the screen. In the system setup program, primary categories of settings are listed on the left. To view the types of settings in a category, highlight the category and press . When you highlight a setting type, the right side of the screen displays the value for that setting type. You can change settings that appear as white type on the screen.
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 If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions. 3 Connect the computer to an electrical outlet. 4 Turn on the computer.
96 System Setup Program
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.
Travel Tips 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 33). • 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.
Reinstalling Software 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.
2 Click Properties→Device Manager 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. Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon. If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to try "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 100.
In most cases, the media starts running automatically. If it does not, start Windows Explorer, click your CD or DVD drive directory to display the media contents, and then double-click the autorcd.exe file. The first time that you run the CD or DVD, it might prompt you to install setup files. Click OK, and follow the instructions on the screen to continue. 3 From the Language drop-down menu in the toolbar, select your preferred language for the driver or utility (if available). A welcome screen appears.
2 Click Properties→Device Manager. NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager. 3 Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for example, Audio or Video). 4 Double-click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver. 5 Click Driver→Update Driver→Browse my computer for driver software.
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore The Microsoft Windows operating systems provides a System Restore option which allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files); if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. Any changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible. NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files.
Enabling System Restore NOTE: Windows Vista does not disable System Restore, regardless of available disk space. Therefore, the following steps apply to Windows XP only. 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→System Restore. 2 Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program. 4 When the boot device list appears, highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive and press . 5 Press any key to select Boot from CD-ROM. 6 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
106 Reinstalling Software
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: • You have performed the steps in "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 107 and "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 107. • You have read the safety information in your Dell™ Product Information Guide.
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.
2 Turn the computer upside-down, and remove the two screws that secure the hard drive carrier to the chassis. 1 2 1 screws (2) 2 hard drive NOTICE: When the hard drive is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging. See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the Product Information Guide. 3 Slide the hard drive carrier out of the computer. 4 Remove the new drive from its packaging. Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive.
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. 2 1 1 foam packaging 2 hard drive Media Bay NOTE: If the device security screw is not present, you can remove and install devices while the computer is running and connected to a docking device (docked).
1 2 1 device security screw 2 device latch release Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices NOTICE: To prevent damage to devices, store them in a safe, dry place when they are not installed in the computer. Avoid pressing down on them or placing heavy objects on top of them. NOTE: If the device security screw is not installed, you can remove and install devices while the computer is running and connected to a docking device (docked).
5 Push the new device into the bay until it clicks. Hinge Cover 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: The hinge cover is fragile and can be damaged if extreme force is used.
1 2 1 hinge cover 2 indent 4 Ease the hinge cover up, moving from right to left, and remove it. 5 To replace the hinge cover, insert the left edge of the cover into the hinge cover slot, and press from left to right until the cover snaps into place. Keyboard CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
5 Pull up on the pull-tab to disconnect the keyboard cable connector from the keyboard connector on the system board. 1 2 3 4 1 keyboard 4 keyboard connector 2 keyboard screws 3 cable connector NOTICE: To avoid scratching the palm rest when replacing the keyboard, hook the tabs along the front edge of the keyboard into the palm rest, and then secure the keyboard in place. To replace the keyboard: 1 Connect the keyboard connector to the system board.
Memory You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. See "Specifications" on page 131 for information on the memory supported by your computer. Install only memory modules that are intended for your computer. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the main battery before you begin working inside the computer.
1 2 1 memory module 2 securing clips (2) NOTICE: Insert memory modules at a 45-degree angle to avoid damaging the connector. NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot properly. No error message indicates this failure. 6 Ground yourself and install the new memory module: a Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot.
2 Turn the computer upside-down, loosen the captive screw on the memory module cover, and then remove the cover. 2 1 1 captive screw 2 memory module cover NOTICE: To prevent damage to the memory module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory-module securing clips. 3 If you are replacing a memory module, remove the existing module: a Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the module pops up.
1 2 1 memory module 2 securing clips (2) NOTICE: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the connector labeled “DIMM A” before you install a module in the connector labeled “DIMM B.” Insert memory modules at a 45-degree angle to avoid damaging the connector. NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot properly. No error message indicates this failure.
→Help and Support→ To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer, click Start or Computer Information. Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 107. 2 Remove the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 33).
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Cards 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 107. 2 Remove the hinge cover (see "Hinge Cover" on page 112). 3 Remove the keyboard (see "Keyboard" on page 113). 4 Ground yourself by touching one of the metal connectors on the back of the computer. NOTE: If you leave the area, ground yourself again when you return to the computer. 5 If a card is not already installed, go to step 6.
2 1 1 c WLAN card 2 metal securing bracket Lift the card out of its connector. NOTICE: The card connector is keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, reinstall the card to realign it in the connector. NOTE: Do not insert a WWAN card into the WLAN card connector. NOTE: The WLAN card may have two or three antenna connectors, depending on the type of card you ordered. 6 Install the card: NOTICE: To avoid damaging the WLAN card, never place cables on top of or under the card.
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) Cards 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 107. 2 Remove the hinge cover (see "Hinge Cover" on page 112). 3 Remove the keyboard (see "Keyboard" on page 113). 4 Ground yourself by touching one of the metal connectors on the back of the computer. NOTE: If you leave the area, ground yourself again when you return to the computer. 5 If a card is not already installed, go to step 6.
1 2 1 c WWAN card 2 metal securing bracket Lift the card out of its connector. NOTICE: The card connector is keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, reinstall the card to realign it in the connector. 6 Install the card. NOTICE: To avoid damaging the WWAN card, never place cables on top of or under the card. a Align the card with the connector at a 45-degree angle, and press the card into the connector until it clicks.
NOTE: If you ordered an FCM card with your computer, the card is already installed. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 107. 2 Remove the hinge cover (see "Hinge Cover" on page 112). 3 Remove the keyboard (see "Keyboard" on page 113). 4 Ground yourself by touching one of the metal connectors on the back of the computer. NOTE: If you leave the area, ground yourself again when you return to the computer.
1 1 FCM card NOTICE: When installing this card, ensure that the two antenna cables are not under the card. The antenna cables are designed to lie across the top of the FCM card and into the protective sleeve. Installing the card on top of these antenna cables may cause damage to your computer. Also, do not install the FCM card in the WLAN card connector. The FCM card is designed to work in the WWAN card connector. Installing the card in the wrong connector may cause damage to your computer.
2 1 3 1 metal tab 2 card 3 cable connector NOTICE: Be careful when removing the card to avoid damaging the card, card cable, or surrounding components. 3 Remove the card from its compartment in the computer. a With the front of the computer facing you, slide the card to the right. b Rotate the card toward the front of the computer. c Lift the card out of the computer. 4 Disconnect the card from the cable connector.
1 card 2 card connector 3 cable connector Coin-Cell Battery CAUTION: Before performing the following procedures, follow the safety instructions in your Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching a connector on the back panel of the computer. NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the main battery before you begin working inside the computer.
128 Adding and Replacing Parts
Dell™ QuickSet Dell™ QuickSet provides you with easy access to configure or view the following types of settings: • Network connectivity • Power management • Display • System information Depending on what you want to do in Dell™ QuickSet, you can start it by either clicking, doubleclicking, or right-clicking the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft® Windows® taskbar. The taskbar is located in the lower-right corner of your screen.
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Specifications Processor Processor type Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processors L1 cache 64 KB (internal) L2 cache 4 MB External bus frequency 800 MHz System Information System chipset Intel PM965 Data bus width 64 bits DRAM bus width 64 bits Processor address bus width 36 bits Graphics bus internal PC Card CardBus controller O2Micro OZ711EZ1 PC Card connector one (supports one Type I or Type II card) Cards supported 3.
Smart Card (continued) Interface speed 9600–115,200 BPS EMV level level 1 certified WHQL certification PC/SC Compatibility compatible within a PKI environment Insert/eject cycles certified for up to 100,000 cycles Memory Memory module connector two user-accessible SODIMM sockets Memory module capacities 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB Memory type 667 DDR2 SDRAM Minimum memory 1 GB Maximum memory 4 GB Ports and Connectors Serial 9-pin connector; 16550C-compatible, 16-byte buffer connector Video 15-
Network (continued) Network adapter 1-GB Ethernet LAN on system board Wireless internal WLAN, WWAN, and Bluetooth® wireless support (if optional cards are purchased) Video Video type discrete graphics on system board Video controller nVIDIA Quadro FX 360M Video memory nVIDIA Quadro FX 360M — 256 MB of video memory (dedicated) at <512 MB of system memory, or 512 MB of video memory (dedicated plus shared) >= 1 GB of system memory LCD interface LVDS TV support NTSC or PAL in S-video and composite
Display (continued) Diagonal Operating angle 390.57 mm (15.4 inches) 0° (closed) to 180° Viewing angles: WXGA horizontal 40/40° WXGA vertical 10/30° WSXGA+ horizontal 65/65° WSXGA+ vertical 50/50° WUXGA horizontal 65/65° WUXGA vertical 50/50° Pixel pitch: WXGA 0.2588 (15.4-inch display) WSXGA+ 0.1971 (15.4-inch display) WUXGA 0.1725 (15.4-inch display) Power consumption (panel with backlight) (typical): WXGA 5.0 W (maximum) WSXGA+ 5.5 W (maximum) WUXGA 6.
Touch Pad Height 48.88-mm (1.92-inch) rectangle Track Stick X/Y position resolution (graphics table mode) Size 250 count/sec @ 100 gf protrudes 0.5 mm higher than surrounding keycaps Battery Type: 9-cell lithium-ion battery 85 WHr 6-cell lithium-ion battery 56 WHr Dimensions: Depth 77.2 mm (3.08 inches) Height 20.0 mm (0.80 inch) Width 187.03 mm (7.48 inches) Weight: 9-cell lithium-ion battery 0.485 kg (1.07 lb) (typical) 6-cell lithium-ion battery 0.355 kg (0.
AC Adapter (continued) Output power 90 W Rated output voltage 19.5 VDC Dimensions: Height 27.94 mm (1.1 inches) Width 58.42 mm (2.3 inches) Depth 133.85 mm (5.25 inches) Weight (with cables) 0.4 kg (0.9 lb) Temperature range: Operating 0° to 35°C (32° to 95°F) Storage –40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F) Physical Height 35.7 mm (1.4 inches) Width 361 mm (14.2 inches) Depth 262.6 mm (10.3 inches) Weight approximately 6.
Environmental (continued) Storage 163 G Altitude (maximum): Operating –15.2 to 3048 m (–50 to 10,000 ft) Storage –15.2 to 10,668 m (–50 to 35,000 ft) Airborne contaminant level G2 or lower as defined by ISA-S71.
138 Specifications
Getting Help Obtaining Assistance CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer covers, 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 73 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing. 2 See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 73 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics.
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 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.
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 142. Automated Order-Status Service To check on the status of any Dell products that you have ordered, you can go to support.dell.
Returns that are missing any of the preceding requirements will be refused at Dell’s receiving dock and returned to you. Before You Call 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 143).
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.
144 Getting Help
Appendix Cleaning Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. Computer, Keyboard, and Display CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and remove any installed batteries. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
Mouse NOTICE: Disconnect the mouse from the computer before cleaning the mouse If your screen cursor skips or moves abnormally, clean the mouse. Cleaning a Non-Optical Mouse 1 Clean the outside casing of the mouse with a cloth moistened with a mild cleaning solution. 2 Turn the retainer ring on the underside of your mouse counterclockwise, and then remove the ball. 3 Wipe the ball with a clean, lint-free cloth. 4 Blow carefully into the ball cage or use a can of compressed air to dislodge dust and lint.
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. FCC Notice (U.S.
Model number: Company name: PP04X Dell Inc.
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.
byte — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits. alpha-numeric code located on a sticker on your computer. Also referred to as the Product Key or Product ID. C Control Panel — A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and hardware settings, such as display settings. C — Celsius — A temperature measurement scale where 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point of water.
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. docking device — See APR. DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — A consortium of hardware and software companies who develop management standards for distributed desktop, network, enterprise, and Internet environments.
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. 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 speeds communication between the DDR2 SDRAM chips and the system.
components are fabricated for use in computer, audio, and video equipment. KB — kilobyte — A unit of data that equals 1024 bytes but is often referred to as 1000 bytes. IDE — integrated device electronics — An interface for mass storage devices in which the controller is integrated into the hard drive or optical drive. key combination — A command requiring you to press multiple keys at the same time. IEEE 1394 — Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
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. N memory address — A specific location where data is temporarily stored in RAM. NIC — See network adapter.
providing a high-speed data path between the processor and devices such as video, drives, and networks. PCI Express — A modification to the PCI interface that boosts the data transfer rate between the processor and the devices attached to it. PCI 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.
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 faster, serial version of the ATA (IDE) interface.
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 userselectable options in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password.
video resolution — See resolution. virus — A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on your computer. A virus 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.
