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Contents
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . .5
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . 5
This section provides information about setting up your Dell™ Inspiron™ laptop.
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 Inspiron laptop 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.
WARNING: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents.
Do not place your Dell computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase,
while it is powered on. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.
The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not
indicate a problem with the fan or the computer.
CAUTION: Placing or stacking heavy or sharp objects on the computer may result in
permanent damage to the computer.
INSPIRON
5
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the AC Adapter
Connect the AC adapter to the computer and then plug it into a wall outlet or surge protector.
WARNING: 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 a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or
permanent damage to your computer.
NOTE: Connect the power cable to the adapter firmly and ensure that the light on the adapter is
on when you turn on power.
NOTE: Use only Dell AC adapter family PA-2E, PA-3E, and PA-12 with your computer.
6
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
To use a wired network connection, connect the network cable.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
7
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Press the Power Button
8
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up Microsoft Windows
Your Dell computer is preconfigured with Microsoft® Windows® operating system. To set up
Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are mandatory
and may take some time to complete. The Windows setup 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 and you will need to reinstall the operating system.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you download and install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer available at support.dell.com.
9
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Install the SIM Card (Optional)
Installing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card allows you to browse the Internet, check e-mail,
and connect to a Virtual Private Network. To access these features, you must be within the network
of your cellular service provider.
1
SIM card
2
SIM card slot
3
battery bay
1
2
3
10
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To install the SIM card:
Turn off your computer.1.
Remove the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page 2. 34).
In the battery bay, slide the SIM card into the SIM card slot.3.
Replace the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page 4. 34).
Turn on your computer.5.
To remove the SIM card, press and eject the SIM card.
11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)
12
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To enable wireless:
Ensure that your computer is turned on.1.
Press the wireless key 2. on the keyboard.
A confirmation of your selection appears on the screen.
Wireless enabled
Wireless disabled
To disable wireless:
Press the wireless key on the keyboard again to turn off all radios.
NOTE: The wireless key allows you to quickly turn off all wireless radios (WiFi and Bluetooth®)
on your computer, such as when you are asked to disable all wireless radios on an airplane
flight.
13
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect to the Internet
(Optional)
To connect to the Internet, you need an external
modem or network connection and an Internet
Service Provider (ISP).
If an external USB modem or WLAN adapter
is not a part of your original order, you can
purchase one from www.dell.com.
14
Setting Up a Wired Connection
If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite •
modem connection, contact your ISP
or cellular telephone service for setup
instructions.
If you are using a dial-up connection, •
connect the telephone line to the optional
external USB modem and to the telephone
wall connector before you set up your
Internet connection.
To complete setting up your wired Internet
connection, follow the instructions in “Setting
Up Your Internet Connection” on page 16.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
NOTE: To set up your wireless router,
see the documentation that shipped with
your router.
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:
Windows Vista
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your 1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 12).
Save and close any open files, and exit any 2.
open programs.
Click 3. Start → Connect To.
Follow the instructions on the screen to 4.
complete the setup.
®
Windows® 7
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your 1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 12).
Save and close any open files, and exit any 2.
open programs.
Click 3. Start → Control Panel→ Network and Sharing Center→ Connect to a network.
Follow the instructions on the screen to 4.
complete the setup.
15
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact
your ISP for offerings available in your country.
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.
Have your ISP information ready. If you do not
have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet wizard
can help you get one.
16
To set up your Internet connection:
Windows Vista
NOTE: The following instructions are
applicable to the Windows default view,
so they may not apply if you set your Dell™
computer to the Windows Classic view.
Save and close any open files, and exit any 1.
open programs.
Click 2. Start → Control Panel → Network
and Internet→ Network and Sharing
Center→ Set up a connection or network→
Connect to the Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
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 3.
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
Windows 7
Save and close any open files, and exit any 1.
open programs.
Click 2. Start → Control Panel→ Network
and Sharing Center→ Set up a new
connection or network→ Connect to the
Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
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 3.
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
17
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
This section provides information about the features available on your Inspiron laptop.
INSPIRON
Right View Features
18
1
3
2
4
5
6
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
Audio out/Headphone connector — Connects to a pair of headphones or to a powered
speaker or sound system.
2
Audio in/Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone or inputs signal for use
with audio programs.
SD/MMC - MS/Pro
3
7-in-1 media card reader — Provides a fast and convenient way to view
and share digital photos, music, videos, and documents stored on the following digital media
cards:
Secure Digital (SD) memory card•Memory Stick•
Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card•Memory Stick PRO•
Multi Media Card (MMC)•xD-Picture Card (type - M and type - H)•
MMC+•
NOTE: Your computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the media card slot. Blanks protect
unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no media card is
installed in the slot. Blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
4
USB 2.0 connectors (2) —Connect to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer,
external drive, or MP3 player.
5
Optical drive — Plays or records CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray Discs (optional). Ensure that the side
with print or writing is facing upward when placing discs on the optical drive tray.
6
Eject button — Ejects the optical drive tray when pressed.
19
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Left View Features
20
1
2
34
6
5
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that it works with the security cable slot on
your computer.
2
AC adapter connector — Connects to the AC adapter to power the computer and charge
the battery.
3
VGA connector — Connects to a monitor or projector.
4
Network connector — Connects your computer to a network or a broadband device if
you are using a wired network.
5
HDMI connector — Connects to a TV for both 5.1 audio and video signals.
NOTE: When used with a monitor, only the video signal is read.
6
USB 2.0 connector — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer,
external drive, or MP3 player.
21
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Front View Features
22
1 2 3
4
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
Power indicator light — Indicates the following power states:
Solid white — The computer is on.•
Breathing white — The computer is in standby mode.•
Off — The computer is off or in hibernate state.•
2
Hard drive indicator light — Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.
A blinking light indicates hard drive activity.
3
Battery indicator light — Indicates the following states when the computer is powered