Dell 8XCH8, DCSLF, 580s, 08XCH8A00 User Manual

INSPIRON

SETUP GUIDE

™

Regulatory model: 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.

__________________

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.

Trademarks used in this text: trademarks of Dell Inc.; the U.S. and other countries; trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; is a trademark of the Blu‑ray Disc Association; used by Dell under license.

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.

February 2010 P/N 8XCH8 Rev. A00

Dell

, the

DELL

Intel

and

Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista,

logo, YOURS IS HERE, Inspiron, Solution Station, and

Pentium

are registered trademarks and

Bluetooth

Core

and the

is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is

is a trademark of Intel Corporation in

Windows Vista

DellConnect

start button logo are either

are

Blu-ray Disc

Contents

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

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

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

Connect the Keyboard and Mouse. . . . . . . . . 7

Connect the Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

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

Connect the Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Press the Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Set Up Microsoft Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Create System Recovery Media

(Recommended). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . . . 15

Using Your Inspiron Desktop . . . . . . . . . . .18

Front View Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Back View Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Back Panel Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Dell Dock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Dell DataSafe Online Backup . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Power Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . 32

Using Support Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

My Dell Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Hardware Troubleshooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Contents

Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . .42

System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Dell DataSafe Local Backup. . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

System Recovery Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Technical Support and Customer

Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

DellConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Automated Order‑Status Service. . . . . . . . . 52

Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Returning Items for Repair Under

Warranty or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Finding More Information and

Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Basic Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Macrovision Product Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Information for NOM, or Official Mexican

Standard (Only for Mexico). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

INSPIRON

This section provides information about setting up your Inspiron™ desktop.

WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices 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 Keyboard and Mouse

Connect the USB keyboard and mouse to the USB connectors on the back panel of your computer.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

Connect the Display

Your computer has integrated VGA and HDMI video connectors.

NOTE: A DVI connector may be available if you purchased a discrete graphics card.

You can purchase the HDMI‑to‑DVI adapter and additional HDMI or DVI cables at www.dell.com.

Use the appropriate cable based on the connectors available on your computer and display. Refer to the following table to identify the connectors on your computer and display.

NOTE: When connecting to a single display, connect the display to ONLY ONE of the connectors on your computer.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

Connection Type Computer Cable Display

VGA‑to‑VGA (VGA cable)

DVI‑to‑DVI (DVI cable)

HDMI‑to‑HDMI (HDMI cable)

HDMI‑to‑DVI (HDMI‑to‑DVI adapter + DVI cable)

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

Connect the Network Cable (Optional)

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 broadband device or Ethernet jack), you can connect it now.

NOTE: Use only an Ethernet cable to connect to the network connector (RJ45 connector). Connect the telephone cable only to the modem connector (RJ11 connector) and not to the network connector (RJ45 connector).

To connect your computer to a network or a broadband device, connect one end of the network cable to the network port or the broadband device. Connect the other end of the network cable to the network connector (RJ45 connector) on the back panel of your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.

Connect the Power Cable

CAUTION: To help avoid damaging your computer, ensure that the voltage selector switch is set for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location.

To locate the voltage selector switch, see “Back View Features” on page 20.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

Press the Power Button

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

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.

NOTE: For more information on the operating system and features, see support.dell.com/MyNewDell.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

Create System Recovery Media (Recommended)

NOTE: It is recommended that you create a

system recovery media as soon as you set up Microsoft Windows.

The system recovery media can be used to restore your computer to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer, while preserving data files (without the need of the

Operating System

recovery media if changes to the hardware, software, drivers, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state.

disc). You can use the system

You will require the following to create the system recovery media:

Dell DataSafe Local Backup•

USB key with a minimum capacity of 8 GB or • DVD‑R/DVD+R/Blu‑ray Disc

NOTE: Dell DataSafe Local Backup does not support rewritable discs.

To create a system recovery media:

Ensure that the computer is turned on.1.

Insert the disc or USB key in the computer.2.

Click 3. Start → Programs→ Dell DataSafe Local Backup.

Click 4. Create Recovery Media.

Follow the instructions on the screen.5.

NOTE: For information on using the system recovery media, see “System Recovery Media” on page 46.

™

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

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 part of your original order, you can purchase one at www.dell.com.

Setting Up a Wired Connection

If you are using a dial‑up connection, connect • the telephone cable to the optional modem 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.

To complete setting up your wired Internet connection, follow the instructions in “Setting Up Your Internet Connection” on page 16.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

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

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

Click 2. Start → Connect To.

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

Windows® 7

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

Click 2. Start → Control Panel.

In the search box, type 3. network, and then click Network and Sharing Center→ Connect to a network.

Follow the instructions on the screen to 4. complete the setup.

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.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop

To set up your Internet connection:

Windows Vista

NOTE: The following instructions are applicable for 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.

In the search box, type 3. network, and then click 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 4. 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.

In the search box, type 3. network, and then click 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 4. use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

Using Your Inspiron Desktop

3 4

5 6

This section provides information about the features available on your Inspiron™ desktop.

INSPIRON

Front View Features

FlexBay drive eject button — Opens the

Flexbay cover when pressed.

FlexBay slot — Can support an optional

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.

NOTE: For information on power problems, see “Power Problems” on page 29.

USB 2.0 connectors (2) — Connect to USB devices that are connected occasionally such as memory keys, digital cameras, and MP3 players.

Headphone connector — Connects

to headphones. NOTE: To connect to a powered

speaker or sound system, use the audio connectors on the back of your computer.

Line-in or microphone

connector — Connects to a microphone

for voice or to an audio cable for audio input.

Hard-drive activity light — Turns on when the computer reads or writes data. A blinking white light indicates hard‑drive activity.

CAUTION: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the hard-drive activity light is blinking.

Using Your Inspiron Desktop

Optical drive — Plays or records CDs,

DVDs, and Blu‑ray Discs (optional). Ensure that the side with print or writing is facing away from the optical drive tray when placing the disc on the tray.

Optical drive eject button — Ejects the

optical drive tray when pressed.

10 Service Tag and Express Service

Code (located on top of the chassis towards the back) — Helps to identify

your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support.

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