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Dell Inspiron 1721, Owner'S Manual

The Dell Inspiron 1721 Owner's Manual is your comprehensive guide to understanding and maximizing the features of this high-performance laptop. Download the manual for free from our website and unleash the full potential of your Dell Inspiron 1721, empowering you to enjoy seamless multitasking and unparalleled productivity.

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Troubleshooting

97

Troubleshooting

Dell Technical Update Service

The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e-mail notification of 
software and hardware updates for your computer. The service is free and can 
be customized for content, format, and how frequently you receive 
notifications.

To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service, go to 

support.dell.com/technicalupdate

.

Dell Diagnostics

 

CAUTION: 

Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the 

safety instructions in the 

Product Information Guide

.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in 
"Lockups and Software Problems" on page 116 and run the Dell Diagnostics 
before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

 

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 185).

Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from your 

Drivers and 

Utilities

 media (see "Drivers and Utilities Media" on page 13).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on 
your hard drive.

 

NOTE: 

If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell (see 

"Contacting Dell" on page 175).

Summary of Contents for Inspiron 1721

Page 1: ...w w w d e l l c o m s u p p o r t d e l l c o m Dell Inspiron 1721 Owner s Manual Model PP22X ...

Page 2: ...used in this text Dell the DELL logo Yours is here Inspiron Wi Fi Catcher and Dell MediaDirect are trademarks of Dell Inc AMD AMD Turion HyperMemory ATI Radeon and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices Inc Microsoft Windows and Windows Vista are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and or other countries Bluetooth is a reg...

Page 3: ...ront View 20 Left Side View 25 Right Side View 26 Back View 29 Bottom View 31 2 Setting Up Your Computer 33 Connecting to the Internet 33 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 34 Transferring Information to a New Computer 35 Windows Easy Transfer 35 Setting Up a Printer 35 Printer Cable 36 Connecting a USB Printer 36 ...

Page 4: ... From Your Computer Display To a Projector 39 Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate 39 4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 41 Numeric Keypad 41 Key Combinations 41 System Functions 41 Display Functions 41 Battery 41 Power Management 42 Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions 42 Dell QuickSet Key Combinations 42 Adjusting Keyboard Settings 42 Touch Pad 43 Customizing the Touch Pad 44 ...

Page 5: ...tery Power 48 Configuring Power Management Settings 49 Using the Sleep Power State 49 Charging the Battery 50 Replacing the Battery 50 Storing a Battery 51 6 Using Multimedia 53 Playing Media 53 Playing Media Using Dell Travel Remote 55 Copying CDs and DVDs 56 How to Copy a CD or DVD 56 Using Blank CDs and DVDs 57 Helpful Tips 58 Adjusting the Volume 59 Adjusting the Picture 59 Using Dell MediaDir...

Page 6: ...dard Audio 70 Component Video and S PDIF Digital Audio 72 Enabling the Display Settings for a TV 75 7 Using ExpressCards 77 ExpressCard Blanks 77 Installing an ExpressCard 78 Removing an ExpressCard or Blank 79 8 Using the Memory Card Reader 81 Memory Card Blanks 81 Installing a Memory Card 81 Removing a Memory Card or Blank 82 9 Setting Up and Using Networks 83 Connecting a Network or Broadband M...

Page 7: ...to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection 89 Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card 90 Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network 90 Enabling Disabling the Dell Mobile roadband Card 91 Dell Wi Fi Catcher Network Locator 92 10 Securing Your Computer 93 Security Cable Lock 93 Passwords 93 If Your Computer is Lost or Stolen 94 11 Troubleshooting 97 Dell Technical Update Service 97 Dell Diagn...

Page 8: ...Unexpected characters 115 Lockups and Software Problems 116 The computer does not start 116 The computer stops responding 116 A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly 116 A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system 116 A solid blue screen appears 117 Dell MediaDirect problems 117 Other software problems 118 Memory Problems 119 Network Problems 119 Mobile Broadba...

Page 9: ...s readable 127 Drivers 127 What is a Driver 127 Identifying Drivers 128 Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 128 Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Windows Vista Operating System 130 Restoring Your Operating System 131 Using Windows Vista System Restore 132 12 Adding and Replacing Parts 135 Before You Begin 135 Recommended Tools 135 Turning Off Your Computer 135 Before Working Ins...

Page 10: ...ry Module 148 Removing the DIMM B Memory Module 149 Replacing the DIMM B Memory Module 151 Subscriber Identity Module 153 Wireless Mini Cards 154 Removing a WLAN Card 154 Replacing a WLAN Card 156 Removing a Mobile Broadband or WWAN Card 157 Replacing a WWAN Card 160 Removing a WPAN Card 161 Replacing a WPAN Card 162 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 162 Removing the Card 162 Replac...

Page 11: ...168 Traveling by Air 168 15 Getting Help 169 Obtaining Assistance 169 Technical Support and Customer Service 170 DellConnect 170 Online Services 170 AutoTech Service 171 Automated Order Status Service 172 Problems With Your Order 172 Product Information 172 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 172 Before You Call 173 Contacting Dell 175 ...

Page 12: ...RAID Level 0 Configuration 188 RAID Level 1 Configuration 188 Cleaning Your Computer 188 Computer Keyboard and Display 188 Touch Pad 189 Mouse 190 Media 190 Dell Technical Support Policy U S Only 191 Definition of Dell Installed Software and Peripherals 192 Definition of Third Party Software and Peripherals 192 FCC Notice U S Only 192 FCC Class B 192 Macrovision Product Notice 193 Glossary 195 Ind...

Page 13: ...ftware NSS Drivers and Utilities Media Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer You can use the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall drivers see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 128 or run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 97 Readme files may be included on your Drivers and Utilities media to provide last minute updates about technical changes ...

Page 14: ...mation 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 What Are You Looking For Find It Here ...

Page 15: ... Tag to identify your computer when you use support dell com or contact support Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support NOTE As an increased security measure the newly designed Microsoft Windows license label incorporates a security portal which looks like a missing portion of the label to discourage removal of the label What Are You Looking For Find It Here ...

Page 16: ...e NSS If you reinstall the operating system on your computer you should also reinstall the NSS utility NSS automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration providing critical updates for your operating system and support for Dell 3 5 inch USB floppy drives AMD processors optical drives and USB devices NSS is necessary for correct ...

Page 17: ...se Microsoft Windows Vista How to work with programs and files How to personalize my desktop Windows Help and Support 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Help and Support 2 In Search Help type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then press Enter or click the magnifying glass 3 Click the topic that describes your problem 4 Follow the instructions on the screen Informa...

Page 18: ...ing state Dell PC Restore may not ship with your computer Operating System Installation Media If you received operating system media with your computer you can use it to restore your operating system For more information see Restoring Your Operating System on page 131 After you reinstall your operating system use the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with y...

Page 19: ...igurations To determine your computer s video controller configuration 1 Click Start and then click Help and Support 2 Under Pick a Task click Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems 3 Under My Computer Information select Hardware From the My Computer Information Hardware screen you can view the type of video controller installed in your computer as well as the other hard...

Page 20: ...20 About Your Computer Front View 4 5 13 3 6 12 11 9 8 7 14 2 1 10 ...

Page 21: ...er or exit a power management mode see Configuring Power Management Settings on page 49 NOTICE To avoid losing data turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft Windows operating system shutdown rather than by pressing the power button If the computer stops responding press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely may take several seconds KEYBOARD For more information ...

Page 22: ...anagement mode Hard drive activity light Turns on when the computer reads or writes data NOTICE To avoid loss of data never turn off the computer while the light is flashing Battery status light Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status Wi Fi status light Turns on when wireless networking is enabled To enable or disable wireless networking use the wireless switch see wireless s...

Page 23: ... you use the touch pad to move the cursor on the display see Touch Pad on page 43 MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS Control CD DVD and Media Player playback Bluetooth status light Turns on when a card with Bluetooth wireless technology is enabled NOTE The card with Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature The light turns on only if you ordered the card with your computer For more information see t...

Page 24: ...page 59 KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following DIGITAL ARRAY MICROPHONES Built in microphone for conferencing and chat Turns on when the numeric keypad Num Lock is enabled Turns on when the uppercase letter Caps Lock function is enabled Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled 9 A ...

Page 25: ... turns the fan on when the computer gets hot Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer HARD DRIVE Stores software and data EXPRESSCARD SLOT Supports one ExpressCard The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot For more information see Using ExpressCards on page 77 WIRELESS SWITCH When enabled through Dell QuickSet this switch can scan for a w...

Page 26: ...position Disables wireless devices 2 on position Enables wireless devices 3 momentary position Scans for WLAN networks see Dell Wi Fi Catcher Network Locator on page 92 4 Wi Fi Catcher light Flashing green Searching for networks Solid green Strong network found Solid yellow Weak network found Flashing yellow Error Off No signal found 1 2 3 4 10 8 7 5 4 6 9 11 1 2 3 ...

Page 27: ...a memory card The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot The 8 in 1 memory card reader reads the following digital memory cards Secure Digital SD memory card Secure Digital Input Output SDIO card 1 battery status light 2 hard drive activity light 3 power light 4 USB connectors 2 5 network connector RJ 45 6 video connector 7 IEEE 1394 connector 8 8 in 1 memory card reader 9 eject...

Page 28: ...work connector is slightly larger than the modem connector To avoid damaging the computer do not plug a telephone line into the network connector USB CONNECTORS Connects video devices such as a monitor Connects the computer to a network The two lights next to the connector indicate status and activity for wired network connections For information on using the network adapter see the device user s ...

Page 29: ...o TV out connector 2 USB connectors 2 3 AC adapter connector 4 modem connector RJ 11 5 USB connector Connects your computer to a TV Also connects digital audio capable devices using the TV digital audio adapter cable Connect USB devices such as a mouse keyboard or printer 1 2 3 4 5 ...

Page 30: ...nd power strips vary among countries Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage NOTICE When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer grasp the connector not the cable itself and pull firmly but gently to help prevent damage to the cable MODEM CONNECTOR RJ 11 Connect the telephone line to the...

Page 31: ... A port on the front of the computer that allows certain software applications to be controlled by the Dell Travel Remote 1 left speaker 2 consumer IR 3 memory module coin cell battery compartment 4 right speaker 5 wireless mini card compartment 6 battery 7 battery charge health gauge 8 battery release latches 2 9 air vents 10 hard drive 3 2 4 5 10 7 1 6 8 9 ...

Page 32: ...y on page 45 BATTERY CHARGE HEALTH GAUGE Provides information on the battery charge see Checking the Battery Charge on page 46 BATTERY RELEASE LATCHES Releases the battery see Replacing the Battery on page 50 for instructions 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 i...

Page 33: ...rnet access through a satellite television system Dial up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line Dial up connections are considerably slower than DSL cable and satellite modem connections Wireless Wide Area Network WWAN or Mobile Broadband technology provides a connection to the Internet using cellular technology at broadband rates Wireless Local Area Network WLAN connec...

Page 34: ... Connect to the Internet wizard can help you obtain one If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP 1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs 2 Click Start and then click Control Panel 3 Under Network and Internet click Connect to the Internet The Connect to the Internet window appears 4 Click either Broadband...

Page 35: ...tart All Programs Accessories System Tools Windows Easy Transfer 2 In the User Account Control dialog box click Continue 3 Click Next 4 Click Start a new transfer or Continue a transfer in progress 5 Follow the instructions in the Windows Easy Transfer wizard Setting Up a Printer NOTICE Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer See the documentation that came...

Page 36: ...ter cable at the same time you purchased your computer the cable may arrive in the computer s shipping box Connecting a USB Printer NOTE You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on 1 Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so 2 Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer The USB connectors fit only one way 1 USB connec...

Page 37: ...age 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 ...

Page 38: ...sure 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 m...

Page 39: ...el the Brightness Meter may appear but the brightness level on the external device does not change Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display To a Projector When you start the computer with an external device attached such as an external monitor or projector and turned on the image may appear on either the computer display or the external device Press Fn F8 to switch the video image betw...

Page 40: ...be installed NOTE Use only the Dell installed video drivers which are designed to offer the best performance with your Dell installed operating system If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports the settings adjust automatically to the closest supported values To set the display resolution and refresh rate for your display 1 Click Start Control Panel 2 Unde...

Page 41: ...Shift Esc Opens the Task Manager window Fn F8 Displays icons representing all currently available display options display only external monitor or projector only both display and projector etc Highlight the desired icon to switch the display to that option Fn and up arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only not on an external monitor Fn and down arrow key Decreases brightness o...

Page 42: ...r 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 49 Windows logo key and m Minimizes all open windows Windows logo key and Shift m Restores all minimized windows This key combination functions as a toggle to restore minimized window...

Page 43: ... on the surface of the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch pad button To select and move or drag an object position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad On the second tap leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding your finger over the surface To double click an object position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad...

Page 44: ...touch pad or adjust the touch pad settings 1 Click Start and then click Control Panel 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Mouse 4 In the Mouse Properties window Click the Device Select tab to disable the touch pad Click the Touch Pad tab to adjust touch pad settings 5 Click OK to save the settings and close the window ...

Page 45: ...a NOTE Battery operating time the time the battery can hold a charge decreases over time Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer NOTE It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to media Battery operating time varies depending on operating c...

Page 46: ...tery see Battery Disposal in the Product Information Guide CAUTION Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn Do not puncture incinerate disassemble or expose the battery to temperatures above 65 C 149 F Keep the battery away from children Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care Damaged batteries may leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage Checkin...

Page 47: ...y can show a status of charged but maintain a reduced charge capacity health Check the Battery Charge To check the battery charge press and release the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate the charge indicator lights Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge For example if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining four of the lights are ...

Page 48: ...ters 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 49 Conserving Battery Power To conserve battery power on your portable computer do any of the following Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible battery life is large...

Page 49: ...e notification area click Power Options and then select a plan in the Select a power plan window Using the Sleep Power State Rather than shutting down your portable computer use the Sleep power state to conserve power Sleep automatically saves your work to your hard drive and then returns you to your previous work session without restarting your computer NOTICE If your computer loses AC and batter...

Page 50: ...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 121 Replacing the Battery 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...

Page 51: ...de and click the battery release latches to keep them open 5 Slide the battery out of the bay To replace the battery follow the removal procedure in reverse order Storing a Battery Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time A battery discharges during prolonged storage After a long storage period recharge the battery fully see Charging the Battery on page 50 bef...

Page 52: ...52 Using a Battery ...

Page 53: ...CE Do not move the computer while playing media 1 Press the eject button on the front of the drive 2 Place the 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 To format media for storing or copying data see the media software that came with your computer NOTE Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when copying media ...

Page 54: ...f available 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 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 Eject ...

Page 55: ... work only with specified computers For more details go to the Dell Support website at support dell com To play media using Dell Travel Remote 1 Install the CR2106 coin cell battery in your remote control 2 Launch Windows Vista Media Center and then click Start Programs 3 Use the remote control buttons to play media 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 16 15 14 13 12 18 17 ...

Page 56: ...backing up important data For help open Roxio Creator and then press F1 The DVD drives installed in Dell computers do not support HD DVD media For a list of supported media formats see Using Blank CDs and DVDs on page 57 How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Roxio Creator 1 Click Start All Programs Roxio Creator Projects Copy 2 Under...

Page 57: ... ejects Using Blank CDs and DVDs 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 RW if you plan to erase rewrite or update information on that disc later Blank DVD R media can be used to permanentl...

Page 58: ...re installed 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 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 ...

Page 59: ...on the screen 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 Click Start Control Panel Appearance and Personalization 2 Under Personalization click Adjust screen resolution 3 On Display Settings click and drag the bar to reduce the resolution setting 4 In the ...

Page 60: ...ect application Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device NOTE Video and audio cables for connecting your computer to a TV or other audio device may not be included with your computer Cables and TV digital audio adapter cables are available for purchase from Dell Your computer has an S video TV out connector that together with a standard S video cable a composite video adapter cable or a co...

Page 61: ...ponent video cable to connect your computer to your TV 1 S video TV out connector 2 S video cable 1 S video TV out connector 2 composite video adapter 3 S PDIF digital audio connector 4 composite video output connector 5 S video connector 1 S video TV out connector 2 composite video adapter 3 S PDIF digital audio connector 4 Pr red component video output connector 5 Pb blue component video output ...

Page 62: ...eginning of each subsection to help you determine which method of connection you should use When you finish connecting the video and audio cables between your computer and your TV you must enable your computer to work with the TV See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV on page 75 to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV Additionally if you are using S PDIF digital a...

Page 63: ...er 3 Plug the other end of the S video cable into the S video input connector on your TV 4 Plug the single connector end of the audio cable into the headphone connector on your computer 5 Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable into the audio input connectors on your TV or other audio device 6 Turn on the TV and any audio device that you connected if applicable and then tur...

Page 64: ...64 Using Multimedia S Video and S PDIF Digital Audio 1 S video TV out connector 2 composite video adapter 1 composite video adapter 2 S video cable 3 S PDIF digital audio cable 1 2 1 2 3 ...

Page 65: ...he TV 5 Plug one end of the S PDIF digital audio cable into the digital audio connector on the composite video adapter cable 6 Plug the other end of the S PDIF digital audio cable into the audio input connector on your TV or audio device 7 Turn on the TV turn on any audio device that you connected if applicable and then turn on the computer 8 See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV on page 75 t...

Page 66: ...g Multimedia Composite Video and Standard Audio 1 audio input connector 2 S video TV out connector 3 composite video adapter 1 composite video adapter 2 composite video cable 3 standard audio cable 2 1 3 1 2 3 ...

Page 67: ...o the composite video input connector on the TV 5 Plug the single connector end of the audio cable into the headphone connector on the computer 6 Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable into the audio input connectors on your TV or other audio device 7 Turn on the TV turn on any audio device that you connected if applicable and then turn on the computer 8 See Enabling the D...

Page 68: ...68 Using Multimedia Composite Video and S PDIF Digital Audio 1 S video TV out connector 2 composite video cable 1 composite video adapter 2 composite video cable 3 standard audio cable 1 2 1 2 3 ...

Page 69: ...nnector on the TV 5 Plug one end of the S PDIF digital audio cable into the S PDIF audio connector on the composite video adapter 6 Plug the other end of the digital audio cable into the S PDIF input connector on your TV or other audio device 7 Turn on the TV turn on any audio device that you connected if applicable and then turn on the computer 8 See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV on page...

Page 70: ...70 Using Multimedia Component Video and Standard Audio 1 S video TV out connector 2 component video adapter 1 component video adapter 2 component video adapter 3 standard audio cable 2 1 1 2 3 ...

Page 71: ...video cable into the component video input connectors on the TV Make sure that the red green and blue colors of the cable match the colors of the TV input connectors 5 Plug the single connector end of the audio cable into the headphone connector on the computer 6 Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable into the audio input connectors on your TV or audio device 7 Turn on the...

Page 72: ...72 Using Multimedia Component Video and S PDIF Digital Audio 1 S video TV out connector 2 composite video cable 1 2 ...

Page 73: ...he S video TV out connector on the computer 3 Plug all three ends of the component video cable into the component video output connectors on the component video adapter Make sure that the red green and blue colors of the cable match the corresponding adapter ports 1 component video adapter 2 composite video cable 3 standard audio cable 1 2 3 ...

Page 74: ...tor on the component video adapter 6 Plug the other end of the digital audio cable into the S PDIF input connector on your TV or other audio device 7 Turn on the TV turn on any audio device that you connected if applicable and then turn on the computer 8 See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV on page 75 to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV 1 component video ada...

Page 75: ... Appearance and Personalization 2 Under Personalization click Adjust Screen Resolution The Display Properties window appears 3 Click Advanced 4 Click the tab for your video card NOTE To determine the type of video card installed in your computer see Windows Help and Support To access Help and Support click Start Help and Support Under Pick a Task click Use Tools to view your computer information a...

Page 76: ...76 Using Multimedia ...

Page 77: ...ape 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 177 for information on supported ExpressCards NOTE An ExpressCard is not a bootable device ExpressCard Blanks Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the ExpressCard slot Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other pa...

Page 78: ...ch end to insert into the slot The cards are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion If card orientation is not clear see the documentation that came with the card CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide To install an ExpressCard 1 Hold the card with the top side of the card facing up 2 Slide the card into the slot...

Page 79: ...ExpressCard or Blank CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide 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 Save a blank to use when no ExpressCard is installed in a slot Blanks protect unused slots...

Page 80: ...80 Using ExpressCards ...

Page 81: ...emory card reader Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles Save the blank for use when no memory card is installed in the slot blanks from other computers may not fit your computer Remove the blank before installing a memory card To remove the blank see Removing a Memory Card or Blank on page 82 Installing a Memory Card You can install a memory card in the computer while the compu...

Page 82: ...ads 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 Removing a Memory Card or Blank CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTICE Use the memory card configuration utility click the icon in the not...

Page 83: ...o help guide you through the process of networking computers For more information about Networking access Windows Help and Support click Start and then click Help and Support 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 ada...

Page 84: ...ther 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 N...

Page 85: ...anel 2 Click Classic View on the menu on the left side of the Control Panel 3 Double click Device Manager NOTE The User Account Control window may open 4 Click Continue on the User Account Control window if it opens 5 Click the next to Network adapters to list the utility that manages your wireless network card If a network adapter is not listed you may not have a wireless network card If a networ...

Page 86: ... power cable from the electrical outlet 6 Disconnect the network cable from the computer and the modem 7 Disconnect the AC adapter cable from your wireless router to ensure that there is no power connected to the router NOTE Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after disconnecting your broadband modem before continuing with the network setup 8 Insert a network cable into the network RJ 45 connector on ...

Page 87: ... 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 84 for more information about how to prepare for connecting your computer to a WLAN Your wireless network card requires specific software and driver...

Page 88: ...ll cannot provide this information NOTE Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network 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 Hot...

Page 89: ...ending on your computer you can use either a Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini Card but not both to establish a Mobile Broadband network connection To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection you need A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini Card depending on your computer s configuration NOTE For instructions on using ExpressCards see Using ExpressCards on page 77 An activated Mobile Broadba...

Page 90: ...Mobile Broadband card installed in your computer as well as other hardware components 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 s...

Page 91: ...le Broadband connection see What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection on page 89 and then verify that your Mobile Broadband card is enabled by verifying the setting of the wireless switch You can turn your Mobile Broadband card on and off using the wireless switch on your computer You can turn your computer s wireless devices on and off with the wireless switch on the left s...

Page 92: ... as long as the switch is configured through Dell QuickSet or the BIOS system setup program to control WiFi network connections NOTE The Wi Fi Catcher Network Locator light appears only when the system is switched off and Wi Fi is activated in BIOS Because the Wi Fi Catcher Network Locator is disabled and not configured for use when your computer is shipped to you you must first use Dell QuickSet ...

Page 93: ...on your Dell computer For more information see the instructions 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 t...

Page 94: ...reate 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 computer returns to its previous operating state For more information see your Windows documentation If you forget any of your passwords contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 175 For your protection Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your ...

Page 95: ...f the investigating officer The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the computer Service Tag and record the computer as missing or stolen If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service Tag the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen The representative will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller Dell will then c...

Page 96: ...96 Securing Your Computer ...

Page 97: ...ecks in Lockups and Software Problems on page 116 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin 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 acti...

Page 98: ...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 hard drive and display During the assessment answer any questions that appear If a failure is detected the computer stops and beeps To stop the assessment and restart the ...

Page 99: ... 7 Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list If multiple versions are listed select the version appropriate for your computer 8 At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu select the test you want to run NOTE Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen 9 After all tests have completed close the test window to return...

Page 100: ...Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen When contacting Dell support have your Service Tag ready Option Function Express Test Performs a quick test of system devices The test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing the problem quickly Extended Test Performs a thorough che...

Page 101: ...om www support dell com dellsupportcenter 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 your hardware configuration for the selected device The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuratio...

Page 102: ...available memory disk space installed hardware network addresses and modem installed security software and much more are provided In addition using your service tag Dell can link you to the most relevant Dell com web pages for information about your warranty ordering accessories and details about installing recommended drivers and downloads Dell Support 3 Dell Support 3 is customized for your comp...

Page 103: ...hat allows a Dell service and support associate to access your computer through an Internet connection diagnose your problem and repair it The associate will work under your supervision You can direct our associate and solve your problem To use this service you must have an Internet connection and your Dell PC must still be under warranty DellConnect is also available for a fee through Dell On Cal...

Page 104: ...iles updated security settings verification of good restore points and other maintenance activities designed to improve PC performance and security The monthly version is available as an annual subscription and is a feature of Dell Support 3 a complimentary application that provides real time health scans and information on how to maintain your PC Both versions of PC Tune Up are available to custo...

Page 105: ... computer CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK See Cleaning Your Computer on page 188 ENSURE THAT THE CD OR DVD IS SNAPPED ONTO THE SPINDLE CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS CHECK FOR HARDWARE INCOMPATIBILITIES See Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Windows Vista Operating System on page 130 RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS See Dell Diagnostics on page 97 Optical drive problems NOTE High speed optical dri...

Page 106: ...s an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Ensure that the sound is not caused by the program that is running Ensure that the disc is inserted properly Hard drive problems ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO COOL BEFORE TURNING IT ON A hot hard drive may prevent the operating system from starting Try allowing the computer to return to room temperature before turning it on RUN CHECK DISK 1 Click Start Computer 2...

Page 107: ...em the jack has either a green label or a connector shaped icon next to it Ensure that you hear a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone then listen for a dial tone If you have other telephone devices sharing the line such as an answering machine fax machine surge protector or line splitter then b...

Page 108: ...ogram 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 Error Messages Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 174 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 t...

Page 109: ...atch the memory installed in the computer Restart the computer If the error appears again contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 175 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 FOLLOWI...

Page 110: ...einstall 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 97 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 ...

Page 111: ... 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 146 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 146 MEMORY ODD EVEN LOGIC FAILURE AT ADDRESS...

Page 112: ... FOUND The operating system cannot locate a sector on the hard drive You may have a defective sector or corrupted FAT on the hard drive Run the Windows error checking utility to check the file structure on the hard drive See Windows Help and Support for instructions click Start Help and Support If a large number of sectors are defective back up the data if possible and then reformat the hard drive...

Page 113: ... Dell Diagnostics on page 97 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 CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section f...

Page 114: ...ED BY DELL Contact Dell or the IEEE 1394 device manufacturer see Contacting Dell on page 175 Ensure that the IEEE 1394 device is properly inserted into the connector Keyboard Problems CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 174 as you perform the various checks NOTE Use...

Page 115: ...ect the external keyboard 3 Turn on the computer 4 From the Windows desktop click Start All Programs Accessories 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 175 RUN THE KEYBOARD DIAGNOSTICS TES...

Page 116: ...ff then restart your computer A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly END THE PROGRAM 1 Press Crtl Shift Esc simultaneously 2 Click the Applications tab and select the program that is no longer responding 3 Click End Task 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 rein...

Page 117: ...ents when playing DVDs and certain types of video files CANNOT PLAY SOME MEDIA FILES Because Dell MediaDirect provides access to media files outside the Windows operating system environment access to licensed content is restricted Licensed content is digital content that has Digital Rights Management DRM applied to it The Dell MediaDirect environment cannot verify the DRM restrictions so the licen...

Page 118: ...R FILES IMMEDIATELY USE A VIRUS SCANNING PROGRAM TO CHECK THE HARD DRIVE FLOPPY DISKS OR CDS SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE START MENU SCAN THE COMPUTER FOR SPYWARE If you are experiencing slow computer performance you frequently receive pop up advertisements or you are having problems connecting to the Internet your computer might be infected wit...

Page 119: ...nostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 97 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 146 Ensure that you are following the memory installation guidelines see Memory on page 146 Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 97 Network Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist...

Page 120: ... THE MOBILE BROADBAND EXPRESSCARD You must activate the Mobile Broadband ExpressCard before you can connect to the network Position the mouse over the icon in the notification area to verify the status of the connection If the card is not activated follow the card activation instructions located within the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility To access the utility double click the icon located in th...

Page 121: ...ver time Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer CHECK THE BATTERY STATUS LIGHT If the battery status light flashes 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 ba...

Page 122: ...nical assistance for your printer contact the printer s manufacturer CHECK THE PRINTER DOCUMENTATION See the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS See the printer documentation for cable connection information Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer TEST ...

Page 123: ...S Click Start Control Panel Hardware and Sound Scanners and Cameras If your scanner is listed Windows recognizes the scanner REINSTALL THE SCANNER DRIVER See the scanner documentation for instructions Sound and Speaker Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 174 as you complete these checks CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in...

Page 124: ...TE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE Turn off nearby fans fluorescent lights or halogen lamps to check for interference REINSTALL THE AUDIO DRIVER See Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 128 RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS See Dell Diagnostics on page 97 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 pla...

Page 125: ... 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 97 REINSTALL THE TOUCH PAD DRIVER See Reinstalling Driv...

Page 126: ...he display If the display is difficult to read ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS Press Fn and the up or down arrow key MOVE THE EXTERNAL SUBWOOFER AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER OR MONITOR If your external speaker system includes a subwoofer ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm 2 ft away from the computer or external monitor ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE Turn off nearby fans fluorescent lights halogen lamps ...

Page 127: ...se 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 con...

Page 128: ...s and Utilities media provide approved drivers for Dell computers If you install drivers obtained from other sources your computer might not work correctly 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 and then right click Com...

Page 129: ...ars 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 5 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen click Next 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 no...

Page 130: ...contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager 3 Double click the type of device for which you are installing the driver for example Modems or Infrared devices 4 Double click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver 5 Click the Driver tab and then click Update Driver 6 Click Browse and browse to the location to which you previously copied the driver files 7 Select the...

Page 131: ...store your operating system or files if needed Dell Factory Image Restore restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications installed after you received the computer Use Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system prob...

Page 132: ... not apply if you set your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view Creating a Restore Point You can automatically and manually create a restore point from the Windows Vista Back Up and Restore Center There are two ways to get to the Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center 1 Click Start Welcome Center In the Get started with Windows section click Show all 14 items Back Up and Restore Center 2 Cli...

Page 133: ...re point If this fails to correct the problem try the next oldest restore point until the issue is resolved Any software installed after the selected restore point will need to be reinstalled 7 Click Next Finish 8 When prompted click Yes 9 After System Restore finishes collecting data the computer restarts 10 After the computer restarts click OK To change the restore point you can either repeat th...

Page 134: ...arts press F8 until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen NOTE You must press the F8 key before the Windows logo appears on the screen If you press F8 after the Windows logo appears on the screen the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu restart the computer and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the sc...

Page 135: ... 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 Small flat blade screwdriver Phillips screwdriver Small plastic scribe 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 ...

Page 136: ...ell 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 ...

Page 137: ... particular Dell computer Do not use batteries designed for other Dell computers 5 Turn the computer over 6 Slide and click the battery release latches 7 Slide the battery out of the battery bay 8 Turn the computer top side up open the display and press the power button to ground the system board 9 Remove any installed cards from the ExpressCard slot see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank on page 79...

Page 138: ...5 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 NOTE Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell NOTE If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell you need to install an operating s...

Page 139: ...in the computer store it in protective antistatic packaging see Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge in the Product Information Guide 4 Using the pull tab on the hard drive pull the hard drive out of the hard drive bay 1 captive screws 2 2 hard drive cover 1 2 ...

Page 140: ...e new drive in the primary hard drive bay NOTE The secondary hard drive is optional 2 Place the hard drive into the bay and press down to fully seat it 3 Replace and tighten the screws on the hard drive 4 Replace the hard drive cover and tighten the screws 5 Install the operating system for your computer as needed see Restoring Your Operating System on page 131 6 Install the drivers and utilities ...

Page 141: ...ive 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 135 2 Turn the computer over 3 Remove the locking screw from the optical drive 4 Using a plastic scribe push the notch to release the optical drive from the bay 1 foam packaging 2 hard drive...

Page 142: ...ty 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 1 optical drive...

Page 143: ...e 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 4 Ease the hinge cover up moving from right to left and remove it Replacing the Hinge Cover 1 Insert the left edge of the hinge cover 2 Press from left to right until the cover snaps into place 1 hinge cover 2 scribe 1 2 ...

Page 144: ...mputer 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 135 2 Remove the hinge cover see Hinge Cover on page 142 3 Remove the four screws at the top of the keyboard NOTICE The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile easily dislodged an...

Page 145: ...ace the notch on the top of the keyboard on the tab on the base of the computer 2 Keeping the keyboard flat against the computer base slide the tabs on the bottom of the keyboard under the palmrest and ensure the tab on the computer base slides into the notch on the top of the keyboard 1 keyboard 2 screws 4 3 notch on keyboard 4 tab on computer base 2 1 4 3 ...

Page 146: ...de You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board See Specifications on page 177 for information on the memory supported by your computer Install only memory modules that are intended for your computer NOTE Memory modules purchased from Dell are covered under your computer warranty 1 tabs 7 2 keyboard connector 3 notch on keyboard 4 tab on computer base 5 pa...

Page 147: ...ry 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 The DIMM A memory module is located under the keyboard 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 135 2 Remove the hinge cover see Hinge Cover on page 142 3 Remove the keyboard see Keyboard...

Page 148: ...k 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 NOTE If the memory module is not installed properly the computer may not boot No error message indicates this failure 1 m...

Page 149: ... the system configuration information To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer click Start Help and Support Dell System Information Removing the DIMM B Memory Module The DIMM B memory module is located under the memory module cover on the bottom of the computer 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 135 2 Turn the computer upside down loosen the captive screw on the m...

Page 150: ...round 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 1 memory module coin cell battery compartment 2 captive screw 1 2 ...

Page 151: ...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 NOTE If the memory module is not installed properly the computer may not boot No error message indicates this failure ...

Page 152: ...e cover 4 Insert the battery into the battery bay or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet 5 Turn on the computer As the computer boots it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer click Start Help and Support Dell System Information 1 tab 2 notch 1 2 ...

Page 153: ...n any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTE Only Cingular and Vodafone need a SIM Verizon Sprint and Telus do not use SIMs 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 135 2 In the battery bay slide the SIM into the compartment with the cut off corner of the SIM facing away from the compartment 1 battery bay 2 SIM 1 2 ...

Page 154: ...side the computer If you ordered a wireless Mini Card with your computer the card is already installed Your computer supports three types of wireless Mini Cards Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WWAN Wireless Personal Area Network WPAN Removing a WLAN Card 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 135 2 Turn the computer over 3 Loosen the cap...

Page 155: ...enna cables from the WLAN card 5 Release the WLAN card by pushing the metal securing tabs toward the back of the computer until the card pops up slightly 6 Lift the WLAN card out of its system board connector 1 antenna cable connectors 2 2 WLAN card 1 2 ...

Page 156: ...e card and on the system board and realign the card NOTICE To avoid damage to the WLAN card never place cables under the card 1 Insert the WLAN card connector at a 45 degree angle into the system board connector labeled WLAN 2 Press the other end of the WLAN card down into the securing tabs until the card clicks into place 1 metal securing tabs 2 2 WLAN card 1 2 ...

Page 157: ...AN card has three triangles on the label white black and gray connect the white antenna cable to the white triangle connect the black antenna cable to the black triangle and connect the gray antenna cable to the gray triangle 4 Secure unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve 5 Replace the cover and tighten the captive screws Removing a Mobile Broadband or WWAN Card NOTE WWAN is also av...

Page 158: ...158 Adding and Replacing Parts 3 Loosen the captive screws on the cover of the Mini Card compartment and remove the cover 1 captive screws 2 2 cover 1 2 ...

Page 159: ...ntenna cables from the WWAN card 5 Release the WWAN card by pushing the metal securing tabs toward the back of the computer until the card pops up slightly 6 Lift the WWAN card out of its system board connector 1 antenna cable connectors 2 2 WWAN card 1 2 ...

Page 160: ...e card and on the system board and realign the card NOTICE To avoid damage to the WWAN card never place cables under the card 1 Insert the WWAN card connector at a 45 degree angle into the system board connector labeled WWAN 2 Press the other end of the WWAN card down into the securing tabs until the card clicks into place 1 metal securing tabs 2 2 WWAN card 1 2 ...

Page 161: ...e the cover and tighten the captive screws Removing a WPAN Card 1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 135 2 Turn the computer over 3 Loosen the captive screws on the cover of the Mini Card compartment and remove the cover 4 Disconnect the blue antenna cable from the WPAN card 5 Release the WPAN card by pushing the metal securing tabs toward the back of the computer until the card pop...

Page 162: ...ernal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 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 th...

Page 163: ... 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 ...

Page 164: ...r see Bottom View on page 31 and remove the cover 4 Disconnect the coin cell battery cable from the system board 5 Slide the battery out of the mylar sleeve Replacing the Coin Cell Battery 1 Connect the coin cell battery cable to the system board 2 Slide the coin cell battery into the mylar sleeve 3 Replace the cover and tighten the captive screw 1 coin cell battery 2 mylar sleeve 3 battery cable ...

Page 165: ...s Network connectivity Power management Display System information Depending on what you want to do in Dell QuickSet you can start it by either clicking double clicking or right clicking the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft Windows notification area The notification area is located in the lower right corner of your screen For more information about QuickSet right click the QuickSet icon and select H...

Page 166: ...166 Dell QuickSet Features ...

Page 167: ...Computer Remove any external devices attached to the computer and store them in a 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 palm rest could damage the display Remove any extraneous items such as paper clips pens and paper from...

Page 168: ...f 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 type of electrical outlets are used in the countries you will visit and have appropriate power adapt...

Page 169: ...gnostics on page 97 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics 3 Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 174 4 Use Dell s extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support support dell com for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures See Online Services on page 170 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online 5 If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem ...

Page 170: ...rt 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 173 and then see Contacting Dell on page 175 DellConnect DellConnect is a simple online access tool that allows a Dell service and support associate to access your computer through a bro...

Page 171: ...g and Sales e mail addresses apmarketing dell com Asian Pacific countries only sales_canada dell com Canada only 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 ...

Page 172: ... 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 Contacting Dell on page 175 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Prepare all items being returned whether for repair or credit as follows 1 Call Dell to obtai...

Page 173: ...efore 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 174 If possible turn on your computer before you call Dell for assi...

Page 174: ...ion 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 ...

Page 175: ...ability 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 the bottom of the page 3 Click Contact Us on the left side of the page 4 Select the appropriate service or support link based on your...

Page 176: ...176 Getting Help ...

Page 177: ...he 512 KB or 1 MB per core depending on model External bus frequency 1600 MHz and HyperTransport System Information System chipset AMD M690T Chipset with ATI Radeon X1270 Graphics Data bus width 64 bits DRAM bus width dual channel 2 64 bit buses Processor address bus width 32 bits Flash EPROM 1 MB Graphics bus PCI E X16 PCI bus 32 bits ExpressCard NOTE The ExpressCard slot is designed only for Exp...

Page 178: ...y Stick Memory Stick PRO xD Picture Card Hi Speed SD Hi Density SD Memory Memory module connector two user accessible SODIMM connectors Memory module capacities 512 MB 1 GB and 2 GB Memory type 667 MHz SoDIMM DDR2 Minimum memory 1 GB Maximum memory 4 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 avail...

Page 179: ...mposite video adapter cable USB five 4 pin USB 2 0 compliant connector Video 15 hole connector Communications Modem Type v 92 56K MDC Controller softmodem Interface Intel High Definition Audio Network adapter 10 100 Ethernet LAN on system board Wireless internal WLAN WWAN WPAN Mini Cards WWAN ExpressCard Bluetooth wireless technology Video Video type integrated ATI graphics with 64 MB local frame ...

Page 180: ...crophone in connector stereo headphones speakers connector Speaker two 4 ohm speakers Internal speaker amplifier 2 Watts per channel into 4 ohms Volume controls program menus media control buttons Display Type active matrix TFT 17 inch WXGA 17 inch WXGA with TrueLife 17 inch WUXGA with TrueLife Dimensions Height 229 5 mm 9 04 in Width 367 2 mm 14 46 in Diagonal 433 0 mm 17 0 in Maximum resolutions...

Page 181: ... 0 191 mm Controls brightness can be controlled through keyboard shortcuts see Adjusting Brightness on page 39 Keyboard Number of keys 86 103 U S and Canada 87 104 Europe 90 107 Japan Layout QWERTY AZERTY Kanji Touch Pad X Y position resolution graphics table mode 240 cpi Size Width 71 7 mm 2 8 in sensor active area Height 34 0 mm 1 3 in rectangle Display continued ...

Page 182: ...urs Operating time Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions and can be significantly reduced under certain power intensive conditions see Troubleshooting on page 97 See Using a Battery on page 45 for more information on battery life Life span approximate 300 discharge charge cycles Temperature range Operating 0 to 35 C 32 to 95 F Storage 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F Coin cell batt...

Page 183: ...es 0 46 kg 1 01 lb Temperature range Operating 0 to 35 C 32 to 95 F Storage 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F Physical Height 44 mm 1 7 in Width 394 mm 15 5 in Depth 293 mm 11 3 in Weight with 6 cell battery Configurable to less than 3 6 kg 8 0 lb Environmental Temperature range Operating 0 to 35 C 32 to 95 F Storage 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F Relative humidity maximum Operating 10 to 90 noncondensing Storage 5 ...

Page 184: ...aximum shock Measured with hard drive in operating status and a 2 ms half sine pulse for operating Also measured with hard drive in head parked position and a 2 ms halfsine pulse for storage Operating 142 G 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 Environmental continued ...

Page 185: ...uter password To verify information about the computer s current configuration such as the amount of system memory After you set up the computer run system setup to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings You may want to write down the information for future reference The system setup screens display the current setup information and settings for your ...

Page 186: ...er 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 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 se...

Page 187: ... press u to move the device up the list or d 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 dr...

Page 188: ...ID Level 1 Configuration RAID level 1 uses a data redundancy storage technique known as mirroring When data is written to the primary drive it is then duplicated or mirrored on the other drive A RAID level 1 configuration sacrifices high data access rates for its data redundancy advantages If a drive failure occurs subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive A replacem...

Page 189: ...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...

Page 190: ...sopropyl alcohol 6 Recenter the rollers in their channels if they are misaligned Ensure that fluff from the swab is not left on the rollers 7 Replace the ball and retainer ring and turn the retainer ring clockwise until it clicks into place 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 ...

Page 191: ...l 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 peripherals1 Support for third party software and peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer ...

Page 192: ...riginal manufacturer of the product 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 o...

Page 193: ...evision technician for additional suggestions The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with the FCC regulations 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 Macr...

Page 194: ...194 Appendix ...

Page 195: ... 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 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 antivirus softw...

Page 196: ... 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 informa...

Page 197: ... alpha numeric code located on a sticker on your computer Also referred to as the Product Key or Product ID Consumer IR A port on the front of the computer that allows certain software applications to be controlled by the Dell Travel Remote in some systems In other systems this port allows you to transfer data between the computer and infrared compatible devices without using a cable connection Co...

Page 198: ...evices 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 ...

Page 199: ...t provides 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 ...

Page 200: ...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 ...

Page 201: ...hertz MHz gigahertz GHz or terahertz THz I IC integrated circuit A semiconductor wafer or chip on which thousands or millions of tiny electronic 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 Ele...

Page 202: ...ement 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 nea...

Page 203: ...d 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 proces...

Page 204: ...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 maintain...

Page 205: ...solution 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 progra...

Page 206: ...layed 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 me...

Page 207: ... 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 or 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 no...

Page 208: ...aphics 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 sy...

Page 209: ...on and they can 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 vi...

Page 210: ... 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 interconn...

Page 211: ...a 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 developed by Iomega Corporation that uses 3 5 inch removable disks ca...

Page 212: ...212 Glossary ...

Page 213: ...1 blanks ExpressCards 77 memory card 81 Bluetooth wireless technology card device status light 23 installing 162 boot sequence 186 brightness adjusting 39 C carnet 168 CD about 56 drive problems 105 Check Disk 106 cleaning computer 188 display 188 keyboard 188 media 190 mouse 190 touch pad 189 coin cell battery replacing 163 computer crashes 116 117 restore to previous operating state 132 slow per...

Page 214: ...170 Device Driver Rollback 128 device latch release description 32 device status lights description 22 diagnostics Dell 97 display adjusting brightness 39 adjusting the size of icons 165 adjusting the size of toolbars 165 description 21 resolution 39 switching the video image 39 documentation End User License Agreement 14 ergonomics 14 online 16 Product Information Guide 14 regulatory 14 safety 14...

Page 215: ...replacing 138 returning to Dell 141 hardware Dell Diagnostics 97 Hardware Troubleshooter 130 hinge cover removing 142 I icons adjusting the size 165 IEEE 1394 connector description 28 problems 114 installing 154 Internet connection about 33 options 33 setting up 34 K keyboard numeric keypad 41 problems 114 removing 144 shortcuts 41 keyboard status lights description 24 keypad numeric 41 L labels M...

Page 216: ... 154 Mobile Broadband network connections 89 problems 119 See also wireless switch modem connector description 29 monitor See display N network installing WLAN Mini Card 154 Mobile Broadband 119 problems 119 QuickSet 165 network connector description 28 O operating system reinstalling Windows Vista 132 P phone numbers 175 power line conditioners 37 problems 121 protection devices 37 surge protecto...

Page 217: ...inter 122 program crashes repeatedly 116 program stops responding 116 programs and Windows compatibility 116 restore computer to previous operating state 132 restore operating system to previous state 131 scanner 123 slow computer performance 108 118 software 116 118 sound and speakers 123 speakers 123 spyware 108 118 video and monitor Product Information Guide 14 Q QuickSet 165 QuickSet Help 17 R...

Page 218: ... out connector description 29 System Restore 131 132 system setup program commonly used options 186 screens 186 viewing 186 T taskbar QuickSet icon 165 telephone numbers 175 toolbars adjusting the size 165 touch pad 23 43 cleaning 189 customizing 44 touch pad buttons description 23 track stick touch pad buttons description 23 transferring information to a new computer 35 traveling with the compute...

Page 219: ...e adjusting 124 W warranty information 14 Windows Device Driver Rollback 128 Windows Easy Transfer wizard 35 Windows Vista Program Compatibility wizard 116 reinstalling 132 System Restore 131 132 Windows Easy Transfer wizard 35 wireless turning activity on and off 165 wizards Program Compatibility wizard 116 Windows Easy Transfer 35 WLAN 154 installing Mini Card 154 WPAN installing 161 WWAN See al...

Page 220: ...220 Index ...

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