Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault,
PowerApp, Axim, and DellNet are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, MS-DOS,
and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.
Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
The computer does not start up
The computer stops responding
Slow computer performance or problems connecting to the Internet
A program stops responding
A program crashes repeatedly
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system
A solid blue screen appears
Other software problems
NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or in certain countries.
NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• How to set up my computer
• Tips on using Microsoft® Windows
• How to play CDs and DVDs
• How to use standby mode and hibernate mode
• How to change my display resolution
• How to clean my computer
®
Setup Diagram
Help File
1
Click the
2
Click
User and system guides
3
Click
Dell Inspiron Help
Start
button and click
Help and Support
and click
.
.
User’s guides
.
Finding Information9
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
These labels are located on the bottom of your computer.
• Use the Service Tag to
• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles
from technicians, online courses, frequently asked
questions
• Community — Online discussion with other Dell
customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such
as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support
site.
NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers
can also use the customized Dell Premier Support website
at premier.support.dell.com. The website may not be
available in all regions.
• Customer Care — Contact information, service call and
order status, warranty, and repair information
• Service and support — Service call status and support
history, service contract, online discussions with
technical support
• Reference — Computer documentation, details on my
computer configuration, product specifications, and
white papers
• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software
updates
• If you reinstall the operating system for your computer,
you should also reinstall the NSS utility. NSS provides
critical updates for your operating system and support
for Dell™ 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel
Penti um
®
M processors, optical drives, and USB
®
devices. NSS is necessary for correct operation of your
Dell computer. The software automatically detects your
computer and operating system and installs the updates
appropriate for your configuration.
identify your
computer when you
support.dell.com
use
or contact technical
support.
contacting technical support.
10Finding Information
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• How to use Windows XP
• Documentation for my computer
• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)
Windows Help and Support Center
1
Click the
2
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and
click the arrow icon.
3
Click the topic that describes your problem.
4
Follow the instructions on the screen.
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
Finding Information11
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
12Finding Information
About Your Computer
Front View
hard drive and
keyboard status lights
keyboard
touch pad
touch pad buttons
device status lights
display latch release
display
power button
speakers
DISPLAY LATCH RELEASE — Press this button to release the display latch and open the display.
DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" in the Dell Inspiron Help
file. To access the help file, see page 9.
POWERBUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power management
mode.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, shut down your computer instead of pressing the power button.
About Your Computer13
SPEAKERS —
combinations. For more information, see page 32.
DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
To adjust the volume of the integrated speakers, press the volume-control key
Turns on when you turn on the computer or flashes when the computer is in
a power management mode.
Turns on steadily when the battery is being charged or flashes when the
battery charge is low.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:
– Solid green: The battery is charging.
– Off: The battery is adequately charged, the computer is turned off, or no battery is installed.
– Rapidly flashing green: An error has occurred regarding the battery.
If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows:
– Off: The battery is discharging normally with use.
– Flashing green: The battery charge is low.
TOUCHPADANDTOUCHPADBUTTONS — Touch pad and touch pad buttons provide the functionality of a
mouse. See page 33 for more information.
KEYBOARD —
The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo
key. For information on supported key combinations, see page 32.
14About Your Computer
HARD DRIVE AND KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.
NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the
light is flashing.
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
A
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
9
About Your Computer15
Left Side View
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
AUDIO CONNECTORS
audio connectorsPC Card slot
PC CARDSLOT — Supports one PC Card, such as a modem, wireless card, or network adapter. For more
information, see
16About Your Computer
Attach record/playback devices, such as cassette players
and CD players, to the connector.
Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.
"Using PC Cards" on page 35.
Right Side View
batteryCD or DVD drive
BATTERY/BATTERYBAY — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the
computer to an electrical outlet. See page 25.
OR DVD DRIVEBAY — Accommodates a CD drive or DVD drive.
CD
Back View
security cable slot
network connector (RJ-45)
modem connector (RJ-11)
USB connectors (3)
video connector
AC adapter connector
About Your Computer17
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
SECURITYCABLESLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the 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.
CONNECTORS
USB
Connects USB 2.0 compliant devices, such as a mouse,
keyboard, or printer.
NETWORK
CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. To avoid damaging the
computer, do not plug a telephone line into the network connector.
MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)
18About Your Computer
Connects the computer to a network.
For information on using the network adapter, see the
online network-adapter documentation supplied with
your computer.
Connects the telephone line to the modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online modem
documentation supplied with your computer.
VIDEO CONNECTOR
Connects an external monitor. For more information, see
"Using the Display" in the
Dell Inspiron Help
. To access the
help file, see page 9.
AC ADAPTERCONNECTOR — Connects the AC adapter so that you can run the computer on AC power
instead of battery power.
The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the
AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off.
CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and
power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to
the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the connector, not the
cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable.
About Your Computer19
Bottom View
memory module
cover
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
MEMORY MODULE COVER — Covers the compartment that contains the memory module(s).
HARD DRIVE —
BATTERY/BATTERY BAY — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the
computer to an electrical outlet. See page 25.
BATTERY LATCH RELEASE —
FAN — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the
computer from overheating.
hard drive
battery
battery-bay
latch release
fan
Stores software and data.
Releases the battery.
NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not
indicate a problem with the fans or the computer.
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store
your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting
the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.
20About Your Computer
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.
To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service
provider (ISP), such as AOL or MSN. Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet
connection options:
•Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up
connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable modem connections.
•DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone
line. With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same
line simultaneously.
•Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local
cable TV line.
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your
computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are
using a DSL or cable modem connection, contact your ISP for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an AOL or MSN connection:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Double-click the
3
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
If you do not have an
Internet connection with a different ISP:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Click the
The
Start
New Connection Wizard
MSN Explorer
MSN Explorer
button and click
appears.
or
AOL
icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop.
or
AOL
icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an
Internet Explorer
.
3
Click
Connect to the Internet
.
Setting Up Your Computer21
4
In the next window, click the appropriate option:
•If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click
service providers (ISPs)
•If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a
setup CD, click
•If you have a CD, click
5
Click
Next
.
If you selected
instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
Set up my connection manually
Set up my connection manually
.
Use the CD I got from an ISP
, continue to step 6. Otherwise, follow the
Choose from a list of Internet
.
.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP.
6
Click the appropriate option under
click
Next
7
Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems"
on page 46. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have 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.
Setting Up a Printer
NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer.
See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to:
•Obtain and install updated drivers.
•Connect the printer to the computer.
•Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge.
•Contact the printer manufacturer for technical assistance.
Printer Cable
Your printer connects to your computer with a USB cable. Your printer may not come with a printer
cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer. If you
purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in
the computer box.
How do you want to connect to the Internet?
.
, and then
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
Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer.
22Setting Up Your Computer
3
Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer.
The USB connectors fit only one way.
USB connector on
computer
USB connector
USB printer
cable
on printer
Power Protection Devices
Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures:
•Surge protectors
•Line conditioners
•Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help to prevent damage to your
computer from voltage spikes that can occur during electrical storms or following power
interruptions. The level of protection is usually commensurate with the cost of the surge protector.
Some surge protector manufacturers include warranty coverage for certain types of damage.
Carefully read the device warranty when choosing a surge protector. A device with a higher joule
rating offers more protection. Compare joule ratings to determine the relative effectiveness of
different devices.
NOTICE: Most surge protectors do not protect against power fluctuations or power interruptions
caused by nearby lightning strikes. When lightning occurs in your area, disconnect the telephone line
from the telephone wall jack and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.
Setting Up Your Computer23
Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. See the surge protector
documentation for modem connection instructions.
NOTICE: Not all surge protectors offer network adapter protection. Disconnect the network cable from
the network wall jack during electrical storms.
Line Conditioners
NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions.
Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in data loss or file damage.
NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to a UPS. Connect other
devices, such as a printer, to a separate power strip that provides surge protection.
A UPS protects against power fluctuations and interruptions. UPS devices contain a battery that
provides temporary power to connected devices when AC power is interrupted. The battery charges
while AC power is available. See the UPS manufacturer documentation for information on battery
operating time and to ensure that the device is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
24Setting Up Your Computer
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: Charge the battery for 3 hours before using the computer without the AC adapter.
NOTE: Batteries for portable computers are covered only during the initial time period of the limited
warranty for your computer. For more information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the
Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer.
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your
Dell™ portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. Use a battery to run the
computer when it is not connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard
equipment in the battery bay.
NOTE: Battery operating time (the time it 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.
Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to,
the following:
•Using DVD, DVD-R, and CD-RW drives
•Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, or USB devices
•Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs
such as 3D games
•Running the computer in maximum performance mode. See "Power Management" in the
Dell Inspiron Help
file for more information. To access the help file, see page 9.
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a
CD or DVD.
You can set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low.
CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the
battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. Do not use a battery from other computers
with your computer.
Using a Battery25
CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a
charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion
battery. See "Battery Disposal" in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture,
incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures above 65°C (149°F). Keep the battery
away from children. Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may
leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage.
Checking the Battery Charge
The low-battery warning provides information on the battery charge.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Low-Battery Warning
NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning.
Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate
mode begins automatically.
A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted.
For more information about low-battery alarms, see "Power Management" in the
file. To access the help file, see page 9.
Charging the Battery
NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 3 hours with the
computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the
computer as long as you like. The battery’s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.
When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is
connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge and temperature.
If necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.
If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, the battery
may not charge when you connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
The battery may be too hot to start charging if the light rapidly flashes green. Disconnect the
computer from the electrical outlet and allow the computer and the battery to cool to room
temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging the battery.
For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see "Power Problems" on page 53.
Dell Inspiron Help
Recalibrating a Battery
If your system is configured with a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, you can recalibrate the
battery by running the Battery Gauge Recalibration software in the system setup program.
26Using a Battery
Recalibrate your NiMH battery when one of the following occurs:
•A message appears, prompting you to recalibrate your battery.
•The typical battery operating time decreases.
When you recalibrate your NiMH battery, do not remove the battery or disconnect your computer
from the electrical outlet. Allow several hours for the procedure to complete.
To run the Battery Gauge Recalibration software:
1
Connect your computer to an electrical outlet.
2
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
3
When the DELL logo appears, press <F2> immediately. If you wait too long and the logo for
the Microsoft Windows operating system appears, continue to wait until you see the
Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: For information about a specific item on a System Setup screen, highlight the item and see the
Help area on the screen.
4
Using the left-arrow and right-arrow keys, select
5
Using the up-arrow and down-arrow keys, select
Exit
.
Battery Gauge Recalibration
and press
<Enter>.
The battery gauge recalibration procedure begins, and the AC adapter charges the battery
until the battery gauge states
6
When prompted, remove the AC adapter.
The battery discharges until the battery gauge states
Full
.
Empty
. When the battery is completely
discharged, the computer automatically turns off.
7
Connect the AC adapter to your computer.
8
Without turning the system on, charge the battery until the battery LED turns off.
NOTE: You can operate your computer while the battery is charging. However, do not operate your
computer using battery power until the battery is fully charged.
Using a Battery27
Removing a Battery
CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.
1
Ensure that the computer is either turned off or connected to an electrical outlet.
2
Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove
the battery from the bay.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Installing a Battery
Slide the battery into the bay until the latch release clicks.
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 before
you use it.
28Using a Battery
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Using CDs and DVDs
For information about using CDs and DVDs in your computer, see the Dell Inspiron Help file.
To access the help file, see page 9.
Copying CDs
NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs or DVDs.
This section applies only to computers that have a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, or DVD/CD-RW
combo drive.
The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of a CD. You can also use
Sonic RecordNow for other purposes, including creating CDs from audio files on your computer
and creating MP3 CDs. For instructions, see the Sonic RecordNow documentation that came with
your computer. Open Sonic RecordNow, click the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of
the window, and then click
How to Copy a CD
NOTE: If you have a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and you experience recording problems, check for
available software patches at the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com.
Currently, five DVD-writable disc formats are available: DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW,
and DVD-RAM. The DVD-writable drives installed in your Dell™ computer can write to DVD+R,
and can read DVD-R. However, DVD-writable drives do not write to and might not read
DVD-RAM media. In addition, commercially available DVD players for home theater systems
might not read all five formats.
RecordNow Help
or
RecordNow Tutorial
.
NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using
Sonic RecordNow.
1
Click the
RecordNow!
2
Click either the audio tab or the data tab, depending on the kind of CD or DVD you want
to copy.
Start
button, point to
All Programs→
Sonic→ RecordNow!
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia29
, and then click
3
Click
Exact Copy
4
To copy the CD or DVD:
If you have one CD or DVD drive
•
The computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies it to a temporary folder on your
computer hard drive.
When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and click
.
, ensure that the settings are correct and click
Copy
OK
.
.
If you have two CD or DVD drives
•
source CD or DVD and click
the blank CD or DVD.
Once you have finished copying the source CD or DVD, the CD or DVD that you have
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
created automatically ejects.
Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs
Your CD-RW drive can write to two different types of recording media—CD-Rs and CD-RWs
(including high-speed CD-RWs). 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 without changing your method of
recording (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to
CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.
Your DVD-writable drive can write to three different types of recording media—CD-Rs, CD-RWs
(including high-speed CD-RWs), DVD+Rs. Blank DVD+Rs can be used to permanently store
large amounts of information. After you create a DVD+R disc, you may not be able to write to that
disc again if the disc is "finalized" or "closed" during the final stage of the disc creation process.
Helpful Tips
•Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after
you start Sonic RecordNow and open a RecordNow project.
•You must use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do
not play in most home or car stereos.
•You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic RecordNow.
•Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3
software installed.
•Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a
650-MB file to a 650-MB blank CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1 or 2 MB of the blank CD to
finalize the recording.
•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.
•See the Sonic support website at
, select the drive into which you have inserted your
Copy
. The computer copies the data on the CD or DVD to
support.sonic.com
for additional information.
30Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
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