Dell 9300 User Manual

Dell™ Inspiron™ 9300

Owner’s Manual

Model PP14L

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

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

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either 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.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the

Dell Inspiron Help

file. To access the help file, see

"Finding Information" on page 9.

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft

Windows®

operating systems are not applicable.

____________________

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, P owerV ault, P owerApp,

PowerConnect, DellNet, and Dell OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, and Outlook are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Bluetooth is a registered trademark o wned by Bluetooth

SIG, Inc. and is 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.

Model PP14L

September 2005 P/N G7903 Rev. A03

Contents

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1 A Tour of Your Computer

Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Left Side View

Right Side View

Back View

Bottom View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

2 Setting Up Your Computer

Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

Setting Up a Printer

Printer Cable

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Connecting a USB Printer

Power Protection Devices

Surge Protectors Line Conditioners

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

3 Using a Battery

Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Checking the Battery Charge

Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Low-Battery Warning

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Contents 3

Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Removing a Battery

Installing a Battery

Storing a Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

4 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia

Using CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Copying CDs and DVDs

How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Helpful Tips

Using MediaDirect

Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device

S-Video and Standard Audio S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Changing Your Audio Settings Enabling the Display Settings for a TV

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

5 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad

4 Contents

Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Key Combinations

System Functions Battery CD or DVD Tray Display Functions Radios (Including Wireless Networking and Bluetooth

Wireless Technology) Power Management Speaker Functions Microsoft

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Windows® Logo Key Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Touch Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Customizing the Touch Pad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

6 Using PC Cards

PC Card Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

PC Card Blanks

Extended PC Cards

Installing a PC Card

Removing a PC Card or Blank

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

7 Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Network Setup Wizard

Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network

Determining Your Network Type Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Windows® XP . . . . . 53

8 Solving Problems

Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Drive Problems

DVD drive problems Hard drive problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

Keyboard Problems

External keyboard problems Unexpected characters

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Contents 5

Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

The computer does not start up The computer stops responding 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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Memory Problems

Network Problems

PC Card Problems

Power Problems

Printer Problems

Scanner Problems

Sound and Speaker Problems

No sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers No sound from headphones

Touch Pad or Mouse Problems

Video and Display Problems

If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable

Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

6 Contents

Restoring Your Operating System

Using Microsoft

Windows XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Using the Operating System CD

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

9 Adding and Replacing Parts

Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Hard Drive

Memory

Modem

Mini PCI Card

Hinge Cover

Keyboard

Coin-Cell Battery

Display

Optical Drive

Internal Card With Bluetooth

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Returning a Hard Drive to Dell

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Wireless Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

10 Appendix

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Using the System Setup Program

Overview

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screen Commonly Used Options

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals

Contacting Dell

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

. . . . . . . . . 107

. . . . . . . . . . . 108

Contents 7

FCC Notices (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Class A Class B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

FCC Identification Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Macrovision Product Notice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

8 Contents

Finding Information

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

Click the

Click

User and system guides

Click

Dell Inspiron Help

Start

button and click

Help and Support

and click

User’s guides

Finding Information 9

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

• Microsoft Windows License Label

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License

These labels are located on

• Use the Service Tag to

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when

the bottom of

identify your computer when you

support.dell.com

use or contact technical support.

contacting technical support.

your computer.

10 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• 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

• Notebook System Software (NSS)— 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

Pentium®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.

To download Notebook System Software:

Go to

support.dell.com

Enter your Service Tag or product model.

In the

Download Category

Select the operating system and operating system language for your computer, and click

Under

Select a Device Configuration Utilities System Software

and click

Downloads

drop-down menu, click

Submit

, scroll to

, and click

System and

Dell Notebook

All

Finding Information 11

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to use Windows XP

• Documentation for my computer

• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Windows Help and Support Center

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon.

Click the topic that describes your problem. Follow the instructions on the screen.

12 Finding Information

A Tour of Your Computer

Front View

display latches (2)

keyboard status lights (5)

keyboard

touch pad buttons (2)

display latch release

display

power button

device status lights (3)

touch pad

media control buttons (7)

speakers

DISPLAY LATCHES — Keeps the display closed.

DISPLAY LATCH RELEASE — Slide this to release the display latches and open the display.

DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help

file, see "Finding Information" on page 9.

A Tour of Your Computer 13

POWER BUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power

management mode.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data when you turn off your computer, shut down your computer through the

Start menu instead of pressing the power button.

DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS

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Turns on when you turn on the computer, and blinks when the computer is in a power management mode.

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 steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status.

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:

• Solid green: The battery is charging.

• Flashing green: The battery is almost fully charged.

If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows:

• Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off).

• Flashing orange: The battery charge is low.

• Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.

14 A Tour of Your Computer

TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse.

MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS — Control CD, DVD, and Media Player playback.

Mutes the sound.

Turns the volume down.

Turns the volume up.

Play or pause. This button also launches Dell Media Experience or Microsoft

Windows® Media Center

Edition. See "Using MediaDirect" on page 33.

Plays the previous track.

Plays the next track.

Stop.

SPEAKERS — To adjust the volume of the integrated speakers, press the media control buttons or speaker-

volume keyboard shortcuts. For more information, see "Speaker Functions" on page 45.

TOUCH PAD BUTTONS — Touch pad buttons provide the same functionality as mouse buttons.

KEYBOARD — The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft Windows logo key. For

information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Key Combinations" on page 44.

A Tour of Your Computer 15

KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS

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The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:

Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.

Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.

Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.

Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To enable or disable wireless networking, press <Fn><F2>.

Turns on when a card with Bluetooth

wireless technology

is enabled.

NOTE: The card with Bluetooth wireless technology is an

optional feature, so the light turns on only if you ordered the card with your computer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your card.

To turn off only the Bluetooth wireless technology functionality, right-click the icon in the Windows notification area (in the lower-right corner of your screen) and click Disable Bluetooth Radio.

To quickly enable or disable all wireless devices, press <Fn><F2>.

16 A Tour of Your Computer

Left Side View

air vent

security cable slot

OPTICAL DRIVE — You can install devices such as a DVD drive or other optical drive in the optical drive

bay. For more information, see "Optical Drive" on page 97.

OPTICAL-DRIVE-TRAY EJECT BUTTON — Press this button to eject a CD or DVD from the optical drive.

This button only works when the computer is turned on.

CONNECTORS — Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. You can also connect

USB

the optional floppy drive directly to a USB connector using the optional floppy-drive cable

AIR VENT — The computer uses fans to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer

from overheating.

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.

SECURITY CABLE SLOT — 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.

USB connectors (2) optical-drive-tray

eject button

optical drive

A Tour of Your Computer 17

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Right Side View

Secure Digital I/O slot

air vent

SECURE DIGITAL I/O SLOT — The Secure Digital I/O slot supports one Secure Digital memory card or other SDI/O device. Use Secure Digital memory cards to save or back up data.

AIR VENT — The computer uses fans to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer

from overheating.

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.

18 A Tour of Your Computer

PC Card slot

hard drive

audio connectors

IEEE 1394 connector

AUDIO CONNECTORS

Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.

Attach a microphone to the connector.

IEEE 1394 CONNECTOR — Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.

HARD DRIVE — Stores software and data.

ARD SLOT — Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter. The computer ships with

PC C

a plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see "Finding Information" on page 9.

Back View

modem connector (RJ-11)

air vent air vent

S-video TV-out connector

USB connectors (4)

DVI-D connector

video connectornetwork connector (RJ-45)

AC adapter connector

A Tour of Your Computer 19

DIGITAL-VIDEO INTERFACE (DVI) CONNECTOR

VIDEO

CONNECTOR

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AIR

VENT — The computer uses fans to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer

from overheating.

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.

ADAPTER CONNECTOR — Attaches an AC adapter to the computer.

Connects an external DVI-compatible monitor. With an adapter cable, you can also connect an external VGA-compatible monitor to the DVI connector.

Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor. For more information, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see "Finding Information" on page 9.

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.

20 A Tour of Your Computer

USB CONNECTORS

Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.

S-VIDEO TV-OUT CONNECTOR

Connects your computer to a TV. Also connects digital audio capable devices using the TV/digital audio adapter cable.

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.

Connects the computer to a network. The green, orange, and yellow lights next to the connector indicate activity for wired network communications. Green indicates a 10-Mb/sec link, orange indicates a 100-Mb/sec link, and yellow indicates activity.

For information on using the network adapter, see the online network adapter documentation supplied with your computer.

MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)

To use the internal modem, connect the telephone line to the modem connector.

For additional information on using the modem, see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer.

A Tour of Your Computer 21

Bottom View

optical-drive locking screw

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air vent

BATTERY CHARGE GAUGE — Provides information on the battery charge. For more information, see

"Checking the Battery Charge" on page 28.

BATTERY-BAY LATCH RELEASE — Releases the battery from the battery bay. For more information, see

"Removing a Battery" on page 29.

BATTERY — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to

an electrical outlet. For more information, see "Using a Battery" on page 27.

HARD DRIVE — Stores software and data. For more information, see "Hard Drive" on page 83.

AIR VENT — The computer uses fans to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer

from overheating.

subwoofer

memory module cover

battery charge gauge

battery-bay latch release

battery

hard drive

air vent

Mini PCI card/modem cover

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.

INI PCI CARD/MODEM COVER — Covers the compartment that contains the Mini PCI card and the

modem. For more information, see "Modem" on page 88.

MEMORY MODULE COVER — Covers the compartment that contains the memory modules. For more

information, see page 86.

OPTICAL-DRIVE LOCKING SCREW — Secures the optical drive in the optical drive bay. For more

information, see "Optical Drive" on page 97.

SUBWOOFER — Produces a broader bass output than is provided by the speakers.

22 A Tour of 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:

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

Double-click the

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

If you do not have an MSN Explorer or AOL icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP:

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

Click the

The

Start

New Connection Wizard

MSN Explorer

button and click

appears.

AOL

icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop.

Internet Explorer

Click

Connect to the Internet

Setting Up Your Computer 23

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

Click

If you selected instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

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

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NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP.

Click the appropriate option under click

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 60. 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.

• See your printer

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.

Owner’s Manual

How do you want to connect to the Internet?

for technical assistance, or call the printer manufacturer.

, and then

24 Setting Up Your Computer

Connecting a USB Printer

NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.

Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so.

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

Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the window appears, click

Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer.

Cancel

Add New Hardware Wizard

Power Protection Devices

Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures:

• Surge protectors

• Line conditioners

• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)

Setting Up Your Computer 25

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.

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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

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).

26 Setting Up Your Computer

Using a Battery

Battery Performance

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this chapter, follow the safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide.

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 a battery 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.

Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the following:

• Using DVD+RW/DVD+R 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. For more information, see the

Inspiron Help

file. To access the help file, see "Finding Information" on page 9.

Dell

NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD

or DVD.

You can check the battery charge before or after you insert the battery into the computer. You can also 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. The lithium-ion battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.

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.

Using a Battery 27

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 Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter window and icon, the battery charge gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery charge.

Dell QuickSet Battery Meter

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If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <Fn><F3> to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. For more information about Dell QuickSet, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see "Finding Information" on page 9.

The Battery Meter window displays status, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your computer.

The following icons appear in the Battery Meter window:

The computer is running on battery power.

The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is charging.

The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is fully charged.

For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.

Microsoft Windows Power Meter

The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter, double-click the icon on the taskbar. For more information about the Power Meter, see "Power Management" in the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see "Finding Information" on page 9.

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.

28 Using a Battery

Charge Gauge

Press the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate the charge-level lights. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights appear, the battery has no charge.

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 Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see "Finding Information" on page 9.

Charging the Battery

NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 2 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 is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately green and orange. 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 67.

Removing a Battery

CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.

Ensure that the computer is turned off.

If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.

Using a Battery 29

Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove the battery from the bay.

battery charge gauge battery-bay latch release

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Installing a Battery

CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the

battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The lithium-ion battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.

Slide the battery lengthwise into the bay at a 45-degree angle.

Press the other side down until the latch release clicks.

battery

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.

30 Using a Battery

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