Dell 537s, 535s, F957N, 545s, 546s User Manual

INSPIRON

SETUP GUIDE

™

Models DCSLE and DCSLF

™

INSPIRON

SETUP GUIDE

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your

computer.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows® operating systems are not applicable.

__________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Dell

, the

DELL

Trademarks used in this text:

Intel, Pentium

Dell Inc.; other countries; AMD, AMD Sempron, AMD Athlon, and AMD Phenom are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc;

Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista,

of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Association;

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.

, and

Celeron

Bluetooth

is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.

logo, YOURS IS HERE, Inspiron, Dell On Call, and

are registered trademarks and

and the

Windows Vista

Core

is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and

start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks

Blu-ray Disc

February 2009 P/N F957N Rev. A00

DellConnect

is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc

are trademarks of

Contents

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop ...... 5

Before Setting Up Your Computer .........5

Extend the Rear Stabilizing Feet...........6

Connect the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Connect the Keyboard and Mouse.........9

Connect the Network Cable (Optional) ....10

Connect the Power Cables to Your

Display and Computer ..................11

Windows Vista

Connect to the Internet (Optional) ........12

Setup .................12

Using Your Inspiron™ Desktop ......... 16

Front View Features....................16

Back View Features....................18

Software Features .....................20

Solving Problems .................... 23

Network Problems .....................23

Power Problems.......................25

Memory Problems .....................26

Lockups and Software Problems .........27

Using Support Tools.................. 30

Dell Support Center ....................30

Beep Codes ..........................31

System Messages .....................32

Hardware Troubleshooter...............34

Dell Diagnostics ......................34

System Recovery Options ............. 37

System Restore .......................38

Dell Factory Image Restore .............39

Operating System Reinstallation .........40

Contents

Getting Help ........................ 42

Technical Support and Customer

Service ..............................43

DellConnect

™

.........................43

Online Services .......................44

Automated Order-Status Service.........45

Product Information....................45

Returning Items for Repair Under

Warranty or for Credit ..................46

Before You Call........................47

Contacting Dell........................48

Finding More Information and

Resources .......................... 50

Specifications ...................... 52

Appendix........................... 57

Macrovision Product Notice.............57

Index .............................. 58

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

INSPIRON

This section provides information about setting up your Inspiron 535s/537s/545s/546s desktop and connecting peripherals.

WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practice information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.

Before Setting Up Your Computer

When positioning your computer, ensure that you allow easy access to a power source, adequate ventilation, and a level surface to place your computer.

Restricting airflow around your computer may cause it to overheat. To prevent overheating ensure that you leave at least 10.2 cm (4 inches) at the back of the computer and a minimum of

5.1 cm (2 inches) on all other sides. You should never place your computer in an enclosed space, such as a cabinet or drawer when it is powered on.

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Extend the Rear Stabilizing Feet

With the computer sitting in an upright position, carefully lift the rear of the computer, and rotate the stabilizing feet outwards. The extended feet ensure maximum system stability.

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Connect the Display

Your computer has an integrated VGA video connector. You can use this connector to connect to the display.

NOTE: A DVI or HDMI connector may be available on your computer if you purchased an optional discrete graphics card.

Refer to the following table when identifying the connectors on your display and computer to select the connection type you will use.

VGA

HDMI

DVI

Connect the display using either the VGA connector, the HDMI connector, or the DVI connector.

The • HDMI connector is a high-performance digital connector that carries both video and audio signals for displays such as TVs and monitors with integrated speakers.

The VGA connector carries only video • signals for displays such as monitors and projectors.

Connect Using the VGA Connector

Connect the display using a VGA cable (with blue connectors at both ends).

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Connect Using the HDMI Connector

If your display has a DVI connector, use a DVI cable (with white connectors at both ends) with an HDMI-to-DVI adapter.

NOTE: You can purchase an HDMI-to-DVI adapter from the Dell website at www.dell.com.

Connect Using the DVI Connector

If your display has a VGA connector, use a VGA cable (with blue connectors at both ends) with a DVI-to-VGA adapter.

NOTE: You can purchase a DVI-to-VGA adapter from the Dell website at

www.dell.com.

Connect the Keyboard and Mouse

Use the USB connectors on the back panel of the computer to connect a USB keyboard and mouse.

NOTE: The exact location of connectors may be different than what is shown.

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Connect the Network Cable (Optional)

NOTE: The exact location of connectors

may be different than what is shown.

A network connection is not required to complete your computer setup, but if you have an existing network or Internet connection that uses a cable connection (such as a home cable modem or Ethernet jack), you can connect it now. Use only an Ethernet cable (RJ45 connector). Do not plug a telephone cable (RJ11 connector) into the network connector.

To attach your computer to a network or broadband device, connect one end of the network cable to either a network port or a broadband device. Connect the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back panel of your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Connect the Power Cables to Your Display and Computer

Press the Power Button on Your Computer and Display

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Windows Vista® Setup

To set up Windows Vista for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are mandatory and may take up to 15 minutes to complete. The screens will take you through several procedures including accepting license agreements, setting preferences, and setting up an Internet connection.

CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing so may render your computer unusable.

Connect to the Internet (Optional)

NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by

country.

To connect to the Internet, you need an external modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options:

DSL connections that provide high-speed • Internet access through your existing telephone line or cellular telephone service. 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.

Satellite modem connections that provide • high-speed Internet access through a satellite television system.

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Dial-• up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable (or satellite) modem connections. Your computer does not have an integrated modem. An optional USB modem must be used for dial-up service with this computer.

Wireless LAN (WLAN) connections that • provide Internet access using WiFi 802.11 technology. Wireless LAN support requires optional internal components that may or may not be installed in your computer based on decisions made at the time of purchase.

NOTE: If an external USB modem or WLAN adapter is not part of your original order, you can purchase one from the Dell website at www.dell.com.

Setting Up a Wired Internet Connection

If you are using a dial-up connection, connect the telephone line to the external USB modem (optional) and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.

Setting Up a Wireless Connection

Before you can use your wireless Internet connection, you need to connect to your wireless router. To set up your connection to a wireless router:

Save and close any open files, and exit any 1. open programs.

Click 2. Start

Follow the instructions on the screen to 3. complete the setup.

→ Connect To.

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut:

Save and close any open files, and exit any 1. open programs.

Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft2. Windows

desktop.

Follow the instructions on the screen to 3. complete the setup.

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, perform the steps in the following section.

NOTE: 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.

NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet wizard can help you get one.

Save and close any open files, and exit any 1. open programs.

Click 2. Start

→ Control Panel.

Under 3. Network and Internet, click Connect

to the Internet.

The Connect to the Internet window appears.

Click either 4. Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up, depending on how you want to connect:

Choose – Broadband if you will use a DSL, satellite modem, cable TV modem, or Bluetooth

wireless technology

connection.

Chose – Dial-up if you will use an optional USB dial-up modem or ISDN.

NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me choose or contact your ISP.

Follow the instructions on the screen and 5. use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Using Your Inspiron™ Desktop

3 4

Your computer has indicators and buttons

INSPIRON

that provide information and enable you to perform common tasks. The connectors on your computer provide the option of attaching additional devices.

Front View Features

FlexBay drive eject button — Press to

open the FlexBay drive panel.

FlexBay drive panel — Supports a Media

Card Reader or an additional hard drive.

Power button — Turns the

computer on or off when pressed. The light in the center of this button indicates the power state:

Solid white — the computer is in • power-on state.

Blinking amber — there may be a • problem with the system board.

Solid amber — the computer is in • sleep state.

Power light is off — the computer is • either turned off or is not receiving power.

USB 2.0 connectors (2) — Connects

to USB devices such as memory keys, digital cameras, and MP3 players.

Using Your Inspiron™ Desktop

Headphone connector — Connects

to headphones.

NOTE: To connect to a powered speaker or sound system, use the audio out connector on the back of your computer.

Hard drive activity light — The

hard drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to the hard drive.

Microphone connector —

Connects to a microphone for voice or to an audio cable for audio input.

Optical drive panel — This panel covers

the optical drive. Use the optical drive to play a CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc

Optical drive panel eject button — Press

™

to open or close the optical drive.

Using Your Inspiron™ Desktop

1 2

Back View Features

Power connector — For power cable

connection. Appearance may vary.

Voltage selector switch — For selecting

the voltage rating.

3 Power supply diagnostic light —

Indicates power availability for power supply.

Green light — Power is available for • the power supply.

No light — Power is not available for • the power supply or the power supply is not working.

NOTE: The power supply diagnostic light may not be available on some models.

Expansion card slots — Access

connectors for any installed PCI and PCI express cards.

Back panel connectors — Plug USB,

audio, and other devices into the appropriate connector.

+ 46 hidden pages