Dell Vostro A100 Setup And Quick Reference Manual Download

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Dell™ Vostro™ A100/A180

Setup and

Quick Reference Guide

This guide provides a features overview, specifications, and quick setup,

software, and troubleshooting information for your computer. For more

information about your operating system, devices, and technologies, see

the

Dell Technology Guide

at support.dell.com.

book.book Page 1 Thursday, June 26, 2008 12:10 PM

Summary of Contents for Vostro A100

Page 1: ...Dell Vostro A100 A180 Setup and Quick Reference Guide book book Page 1 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 2: ...er 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 If you purchased a Dell n Series computer any references in this document to Microsoft Windows operating systems are not applicable book book Page 2 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 3: ...Contents Contents About Your Computer 7 Front View 7 Connecting to the Internet 15 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 16 book book Page 3 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 4: ...stem Messages 40 Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems 42 Dell Diagnostics 42 Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 51 Restoring Your Operating System 54 Using Microsoft Windows book book Page 4 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 5: ...Contents Online Services 64 AutoTech Service 65 Automated Order Status Service 65 Problems With Your Order 66 book book Page 5 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 6: ...Contents book book Page 6 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 7: ...About Your Computer About Your Computer Front View 1 2 1 optical drive 2 optical drive eject button book book Page 7 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 8: ...ur Computer Back View 2 1 1 power connector 2 voltage selector switch optional 3 power supply light 4 back panel connectors 5 expansion card slots 6 padlock ring book book Page 8 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 9: ...About Your Computer Back Panel Connectors Vostro A100 1 10 1 mouse connector 2 link integrity light 3 network adapter 4 network activity light book book Page 9 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 10: ...Computer Vostro A180 1 12 11 1 mouse connector 2 parallel connector 3 network activity light 4 network adapter connector 5 link integrity light 6 line in connector book book Page 10 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 11: ...ur Computer Setting Up Your Computer Quick Setup CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions that shipped with your book book Page 11 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 12: ...Setting Up Your Computer 2 Connect a USB device such as a keyboard or mouse 4 Connect the modem book book Page 12 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 13: ...Setting Up Your Computer 6 Press the power buttons on the monitor and the computer 5 book book Page 13 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 14: ... it to overheat Follow the guidelines below when installing your computer in an enclosure your computer s maximum operating temperature For details about your computer s specifications see Specifications on page 19 Leave a 10 2 cm 4 inch minimum clearance on all sides of the computer that have air vents to permit the airflow required for book book Page 14 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 15: ...Setting Up Your Computer book book Page 15 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 16: ...onnection To set up an Internet connection with a desktop shortcut provided by your ISP successfully connected in the past the ISP might have a service outage Contact your ISP to check the service status or try connecting again later NOTE Have your ISP information ready If you do not have an ISP consult the Connect to the Internet wizard book book Page 16 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 17: ...g on how you want to connect Choose Broadband if you will use a DSL satellite modem cable TV modem or Bluetooth wireless technology connection Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button book book Page 17 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 18: ...Setting Up Your Computer book book Page 18 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 19: ...rings may vary by region For more information regarding the configuration of your computer click Start Help and Support and select the option to view information about your computer Processor book book Page 19 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 20: ...upt levels 24 24 BIOS chip NVRAM 4 Mb 8 Mb NIC integrated network interface capable integrated network interface capable System Information Continued Vostro A100 Vostro A180 book book Page 20 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 21: ...ostro A100 Vostro A180 Type Integrated Intel integrated video GMA 950 up to 256 MB video memory shared at total system memory of greater Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 book book Page 21 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 22: ...Specifications Expansion Bus Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Bus type PCI 2 3 SATA 1 0 and 2 0 USB 2 0 PCI 2 3 PCI Express 1 0A SATA 1 0 and 2 0 USB 2 0 book book Page 22 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 23: ...ecifications PCI Express x1 N A one connector size N A 36 pins connector data width N A 1 PCI Express lane Expansion Bus Continued Vostro A100 Vostro A180 book book Page 23 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 24: ... to two 3 5 inch SATA hard drives two 5 25 inch optical disc drive bays up to four 3 5 inch SATA hard drives two 5 25 inch optical disc drive bays Drives Continued Vostro A100 Vostro A180 book book Page 24 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 25: ...ons System board connectors Serial ATA two 7 pin connectors four 7 pin connectors Floppy drive N A one 34 pin connector Connectors Continued Vostro A100 Vostro A180 book book Page 25 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 26: ...ns Power 12V one 4 pin connector one 4 pin connector Power one 24 pin connector one 24 pin connector Controls and Lights Connectors Continued Vostro A100 Vostro A180 book book Page 26 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 27: ...ed network adapter green light A good connection exists between the network and the computer green light A good connection exists between the network and the computer Controls and Lights Continued Vostro A100 Vostro A180 book book Page 27 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 28: ...pecifications Power DC power supply Wattage 180 W Maximum heat dissipation MHD 614 BTU hr Heat dissipation is calculated by using the power supply wattage book book Page 28 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 29: ...Specifications Depth 45 0 cm 17 7 inches Weight 12 7 kg 28 0 lb Environmental Temperature Physical Continued book book Page 29 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 30: ... 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 04 1985 Environmental Continued book book Page 30 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 31: ...njuries always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover If the power light is steady blue and the computer is not responding ensure that the display is connected and powered on If the power light is blinking blue Vostro A100 only the computer is in standby mode book book Page 31 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 32: ...puter beeps during start up 1 Write down the beep code 2 Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause see Dell Diagnostics on page 42 Code Description Suggested Remedy book book Page 32 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 33: ...emory module memory connector placement requirements exist see your Service Manual at support dell com Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are Code repetitive short beeps Description Suggested Remedy book book Page 33 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 34: ...with your computer If the message is not listed see the documentation CACHE DISABLED DUE TO FAILURE The primary cache internal to the microprocessor has failed Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 69 CD DRIVE CONTROLLER FAILURE The CD drive does not respond to commands from the computer book book Page 34 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 35: ...MCIA CARD The computer cannot identify the ExpressCard Reinsert the card or try another card See your Service A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS Do not use these characters in filenames GATE A20 FAILURE A memory module may be loose Reinstall the memory modules and if necessary replace them See your Service Manual at support dell com for more information book book Page 35 Thu...

Page 36: ...puter reinstall the hard drive and restart the computer If the problem persists try another drive Run the Hard Manual at support dell com and boot the computer from a CD Then shut down the computer reinstall the hard drive and restart the computer If the problem persists try another drive Run the Hard Disk Drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 42 INSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA Th...

Page 37: ...r test in the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 42 KEYBOARD DATA LINE FAILURE For MEMORY ADDRESS LINE FAILURE AT ADDRESS READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE A memory module may be faulty or improperly seated Reinstall the memory modules and if necessary replace them See your Service Manual at support dell com for more information MEMORY ALLOCATION ERROR The book book Page 37 Thursday June 26 20...

Page 38: ...r Service Manual at support dell com for more information MEMORY ODD EVEN LOGIC FAILURE AT NO BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE The computer cannot find the hard drive If the hard drive is your boot device ensure that the drive is installed properly seated and partitioned as a boot device NO BOOT SECTOR ON HARD DRIVE The operating system may be corrupted Contact Dell book book Page 38 Thursday June 26 2008 12...

Page 39: ...g an essential file Remove and then reinstall the program Start Help and Support If a large number of sectors are defective back up the data if possible and then reformat the hard drive SEEK ERROR The operating system cannot find a specific track on the hard drive SHUTDOWN FAILURE A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning Run the System Set book book Page 39 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 40: ...EM SETUP PROGRAM The time or date stored in the system setup program does not match the system clock Correct the settings for the 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 System Messages book book Page 40 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 41: ...FAN FAILURE Processor fan failure Replace processor fan See your Service Manual at NO BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE No bootable partition on hard drive or the hard drive cable is loose or no bootable device exists If the hard drive is your boot device ensure that the cables are connected and that the drive is installed properly and partitioned as a boot device book book Page 41 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10...

Page 42: ...S THAT YOU BACK UP YOUR DATA REGULARLY A PARAMETER OUT OF RANGE MAY OR MAY NOT INDICATE A To start the Hardware Troubleshooter Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Help and Support 2 Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press Enter to start the search book book Page 42 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 43: ...roblems on page 47 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance It is recommended that you print these procedures Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive NOTE If your computer cannot display a screen image see Contacting Dell on page 69 1 Ensure that the computer is connected to an book book Page 43 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 44: ...ll Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive and follow the instructions on the NOTE The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only On the next start up the computer starts according to the devices specified in the system setup program 4 When the boot device list appears highlight CD DVD CD RW and press Enter book book Page 44 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 45: ...lem started review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed see your Service Manual Power Problems CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety information that shipped with your computer IF THE POWER LIGHT IS OFF The book book Page 45 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 46: ...om IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLUE AND THE COMPUTER IS NOT RESPONDING Ensure that the display is connected and Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet Memory Problems CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety information that shipped with your computer book book Page 46 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 47: ... modules see your Service Manual at support dell com to ensure that your computer is successfully Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety information that shipped with your computer The computer does not start up book book Page 47 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 48: ...and click the Applications tab 2 Click to select the program that is no longer responding and click End Task A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD Windows Vista The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a book book Page 48 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 49: ...ATION Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY Use a virus scanning program to check the hard drive floppy disks CDs or DVDs Save and close any open files or programs and shut down your computer through the Start menu book book Page 49 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 50: ...Troubleshooting book book Page 50 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 51: ...g Drivers If you experience a problem with any device If an exclamation point is next to the device name you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 51 book book Page 51 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 52: ...herwise contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager 1 With the Windows desktop displayed insert your Drivers and Utilities media 2 If this is your first time to use the Drivers and Utilities media go to step 3 If not go to step 6 3 When the Drivers and Utilities media installation program starts follow the book book Page 52 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 53: ...ur computer If you installed additional hardware the drivers for the new If a particular driver is not listed then that driver is not required by your operating system Manually Reinstalling Drivers After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described in the previous section 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button book book Page 53 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 54: ... When the name of the appropriate driver appears click the name of the driver OK Next permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs installed after you received the computer Use Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem If you received the Operating System media book book Page 54 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 55: ...les System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them NOTE The procedures in this document Continue otherwise contact your administrator to continue the desired action 3 Click Next and follow the remaining prompts on the screen In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue you may undo the last system restore see book book Page 55 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 56: ...ivers installed after you received your computer If possible back up the data before using these options Use Dell Factory Image messages digital photos music files and so on If possible back up all data before using Factory Image Restore Dell Factory Image Restore Windows Vista Only 1 Turn on the computer When the Dell logo book book Page 56 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 57: ...e Restore 7 On the Dell Factory Image Restore welcome screen click Next Using the Operating System Media Before you Begin If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver first try using Windows Device Driver Rollback See Returning to a Previous book book Page 57 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 58: ...vers Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer or whether you requested the media the Dell Drivers and Utilities media and Dell 4 Restart the computer When thie DELL logo appears press F12 immediately NOTE If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop then book book Page 58 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 59: ... 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 book book Page 59 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 60: ... that may have shipped with your computer A diagnostic program for your computer Drivers for your computer NOTE Drivers and documentation updates can be found at support dell com Desktop System Software DSS Document Media Label Continued Contents book book Page 60 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 61: ...an be found at support dell com How to remove and replace parts How to configure system settings How to troubleshoot and solve problems Dell Technology Guide About your operating system Document Media Label Continued Contents book book Page 61 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 62: ...Finding Information book book Page 62 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 63: ...ect the computer power and modem cables from all 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 64 for a more extensive list of Dell book book Page 63 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 64: ...or instructions on using the Dell Support see Technical Support and Customer Service on page 64 NOTE Some of the following services are Online Services You can learn about Dell products and services at the following websites www dell com www dell com ap Asian Pacific countries only www dell com jp Japan only book book Page 64 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 65: ...apsupport dell com Asian Pacific AutoTech Service Dell s automated support service AutoTech provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers about their laptop and desktop computers When you call AutoTech use your touch tone telephone to select the subjects that correspond to book book Page 65 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 66: ...lip available when you call For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 69 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Prepare all items being returned whether for repair or credit as follows 1 Call Dell to obtain a Return Material Authorization Number and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box book book Page 66 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 67: ...lect On Delivery C O D packages are not accepted Remember to fill out the Diagnostics Checklist see Diagnostics Checklist on page 68 If possible turn on your computer before you call Dell for assistance and call from a telephone at or near the computer You may be asked to type some commands at the keyboard relay detailed information during operations or try other troubleshooting steps possible onl...

Page 68: ...Getting Help Diagnostics Checklist Name Date Address Phone number Service Tag bar code on the back or bottom of the computer book book Page 68 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 69: ...tomers in the United States call 800 WWW DELL 800 999 3355 NOTE If you do not have an active Internet connection you can find contact information on your purchase invoice packing slip bill book book Page 69 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 70: ...Getting Help book book Page 70 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 71: ...Index Index B beep codes 31 D Dell contacting 63 69 book book Page 71 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 72: ...y Guide 61 Service Manual 61 drivers 51 Drivers and Utilities media 60 identifying 51 reinstalling 51 F Factory Image Restore 56 Files and Settings Transfer Wizard 17 finding information 59 book book Page 72 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 73: ...Index memory troubleshooting 46 N networks 13 connecting 13 P phone numbers 69 power power light conditions 45 troubleshooting 45 problems book book Page 73 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 74: ...tup computer 11 installing your computer in an enclosure 14 Internet 16 quick setup 11 specifications continued power 28 processor 19 system information 19 video 21 support 63 contacting Dell 69 book book Page 74 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 75: ... lights 31 program crashes 47 programs and Windows compatibility 48 Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore 56 Device Driver Rollback 51 Program Compatibility wizard 48 reinstalling 59 returning to a previous device driver version 51 System Restore 54 book book Page 75 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

Page 76: ...Index book book Page 76 Thursday June 26 2008 12 10 PM ...

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