Dell A100, A180 User Manual
Dell™ Vostro™ A100/A180
Setup and
Quick Reference Guide
This guide provides a features overview, specifications, and quick setup,
software, and troubleshooting information for your computer. For more
information about your operating system, devices, and technologies, see
Dell Technology Guide
the
at 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.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows® operating systems are not applicable.
Macrovision Product Notice
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual
property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by
Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation.
Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.
__________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Vost ro, and MediaDirect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned
by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and is used by Dell under license; Intel, Pentium, Core, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S.
and other countries; Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start
button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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 DCMTLF
July 2008 P/N U792G Rev. A00
Contents
Contents
About Your Computer. . . . . . . . 7
Front View
Back View
Back Panel Connectors
Vostro A100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Vostro A180. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
. . . . . . . 9
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . 11
Quick Setup
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installing Your Computer in an
Enclosure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Connecting to the Internet
. . . . . 15
Setting Up Your Internet
Connection
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Transferring Information to a
New Computer
Microsoft® Windows Vista®
Operating System
. . . . . . . . . . . . 17
. . . . . . . . . . 17
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Troubleshooting
To ol s
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Power Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Beep Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
. . . . . . . . . . 31
3
Contents
Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . 34
System Messages . . . . . . . . . 40
Troubleshooting Software and
Hardware Problems
. . . . . . . . 42
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . 42
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . 45
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . 45
Memory Problems
. . . . . . . . . 46
Lockups and Software
Problems
Dell Technical Update Service
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
. . . 49
Reinstalling Software . . . . . . . 51
Drivers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . 51
4
Reinstalling Drivers and
Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Restoring Your Operating
System
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Using Microsoft® Windows®
System Restore
. . . . . . . . . . . 54
Using Dell™ Factory Image
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Restore
Using the Operating System
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Media
Finding Information . . . . . . . . 59
Getting Help
Obtaining Assistance
Technical Support and Customer
Service
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
. . . . . . . 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Online Services. . . . . . . . . . . 64
AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . 65
Automated Order-Status
Service
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Problems With Your Order . . . . . 66
Contents
Product Information
. . . . . . . . . 66
Returning Items for Warranty
Repair or Credit
Before You Call
Contacting Dell
Index
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
. . . . . . . . . . . 66
. . . . . . . . . . . . 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5
Contents
6
About Your Computer
Front View
About Your Computer
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1 optical drive 2 optical-drive eject
3 optional optical drive
bay
5 microphone
connector
7 power button, power
light
button
4 USB 2.0 connectors (2)
6 headphone connector
8 drive-activity light
7
About Your Computer
Back View
1
2
3
1 power connector 2 voltage selector switch
(optional)
3 power supply light 4 back-panel connectors
5 expansion card slots 6 padlock ring
NOTE: The serial and parallel connectors are
available only in Vostro™ A180.
4
6
5
8
Back Panel Connectors
Vostro A100
About Your Computer
10
9
8
7
6
1
2
3
4
5
1 mouse connector 2 link-integrity light
3 network adapter
connector
5 line-in connector 6 front line-out connector
7 microphone
connector
9 VGA video connector 10 keyboard connector
4 network-activity light
8 USB 2.0 connectors (4)
9
About Your Computer
Vostro A180
12
11
10
9
8
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 mouse connector 2 parallel connector
3 network activity light 4 network adapter
5 link-integrity light 6 line-in connector
7 front line-out
connector
9 USB 2.0 connectors (4) 10 VGA video connector
11 serial connector 12 keyboard connector
connector
8 microphone connector
10
Setting Up Your Computer
Quick Setup
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the
procedures in this section, follow the safety
instructions that shipped with your
computer.
NOTE: Some devices may not be included if
you did not order them.
1 Connect the monitor using only one of the
following cables: the dual monitor Y-adapter
cable, the white DVI cable, or the blue VGA
cable.
Setting Up Your Computer
11
Setting Up Your Computer
2 Connect a USB device, such as a keyboard
or mouse.
3 Connect the network cable.
12
4 Connect the modem.
5 Connect the power cable(s).
6 Press the power buttons on the monitor and
the computer.
7 Connect to your network.
4
3
2
1
Setting Up Your Computer
5
6
1 Internet service 2 cable or DSL modem
3 wireless router 4 desktop computer
5 desktop computer
with USB wireless
adapter
with network adapter
6 USB wireless adapter
13
Setting Up Your Computer
Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure
Installing your computer in an enclosure can
restrict the airflow and impact your computer’s
performance, possibly causing it to overheat.
Follow the guidelines below when installing your
computer in an enclosure.
CAUTION: Before installing your computer
in an enclosure, read the safety instructions
that shipped with your computer.
NOTICE: The operating temperature
specifications indicated in this document
reflects the maximum ambient operating
temperature. The room ambient temperature
needs to be a consideration when you install
your computer in an enclosure. For example,
if the ambient room temperature is at 25°C
(77°F), depending on your computer’s
specifications, you only have 5° to 10°C (9° to
18°F) temperature margin before you reach
14
your computer’s maximum operating
temperature. For details about your
computer’s specifications, see
"Specifications" on page 19.
• Leave a 10.2-cm (4-inch) minimum clearance
on all sides of the computer that have air
vents to permit the airflow required for
proper ventilation.
• If your enclosure has doors, the doors need
to be of a type that allows at least a
30-percent airflow through the enclosure at
the front and at the back.
NOTICE: Do not install your computer in an
enclosure that does not allow airflow.
Restricting the airflow impacts your
computer’s performance, possibly causing it
to overheat.
• If your computer is installed in a corner on a
desk or under a desk, leave at least 5.1-cm
(2-inch) clearance from the back of the
computer to the wall to permit the airflow
required for proper ventilation.
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). If you are using a dial-up connection,
connect a telephone line to the modem connector
on your computer and to the telephone wall
connector before you set up your Internet
15
Setting Up Your Computer
connection. If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite
modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular
phone service for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an Internet connection with a desktop
shortcut provided by your ISP:
1 Save and close any open files, and exit any
open programs.
2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft
Windows
3 Follow the instructions on the screen to
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 appropriate
section below.
®
desktop.
NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet,
see the Dell Technology Guide available on
your hard drive or on the Dell Support
website at support.dell.com. If you have
16
®
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, consult the Connect
to the Internet wizard.
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating
System
1 Save and close any open files, and exit any
open programs.
2 Click the Windows Vista Start button →
Control Panel.
3 Under Network and Internet, click Connect
to the Internet.
Setting Up Your Computer
4 In the Connect to the Internet window, click
either 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
connection.
• Chose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up
modem or ISDN.
®
wireless technology
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, click Help me choose
or contact your ISP.
5 Follow the instructions on the screen and
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating System
1 Click the Windows Vista Start button ,
and then click Transfer files and settings→
Start Windows Easy Transfer.
2 In the User Account Control dialog box, click
Continue.
3 Click Start a new transfer or Continue a
transfer in progress.
4 Follow the instructions provided on the
screen by the Windows Easy Transfer
wizard.
17
Setting Up Your Computer
18
Specifications
Specifications
NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For more information regarding the configuration of your
computer, click Start→ Help and Support and select the option to view information about your
computer.
Processor
Processor type Intel
Level 2 (L2) cache 512 KB for Intel Atom, Intel Celeron Dual-Core, and Intel Celeron processors
System Information
Chipset Intel 945GC and ICH7 Intel G31 and ICH7
DMA channels seven seven
®
Atom™ processor
Intel Pentium
Intel Celeron
Intel Celeron processor
1 MB for Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor
Vostro A100 Vostro A180
®
Dual-Core processor
®
Dual-Core processor
19
Specifications
System Information (Continued)
Vostro A100 Vostro A180
Interrupt levels 24 24
BIOS chip (NVRAM) 4 Mb 8 Mb
NIC integrated network interface capable
of 10/100 communication
integrated network interface capable
of 10/100 communication
Memory
Vostro A100 Vostro A180
Type 533 MHz 667/800 MHz
Memory connectors one two
Memory capacities 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB
Minimum memory 512 MB 512 MB
Maximum memory 2 GB 4 GB
20
Specifications
Video
Vostro A100 Vostro A180
Type:
Integrated Intel integrated video GMA 950
up to 256-MB video memory (shared)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
3100
at total system memory of greater
than 512 MB
Discrete N/A optional PCI Express x16 graphics
card (up to 25 W)
Audio
Type Intel High Definition Audio
21
Specifications
Expansion Bus
Vostro A100 Vostro A180
Bus type PCI 2.3
SATA 1.0 and 2.0
USB 2.0
PCI 2.3
PCI Express 1.0A
SATA 1.0 and 2.0
USB 2.0
Bus speed 133 MB/s (PCI)
1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps (SATA)
480-Mbps high speed, 12-Mbps full
speed, 1.2-Mbps low speed (USB)
133 MB/s (PCI)
x1-slot bidirectional speed — 500 MB/
s (PCI Express)
x16-slot bidirectional speed — 8 GB/s
(PCI Express)
1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps (SATA)
480-Mbps high speed, 12-Mbps full
speed, 1.2-Mbps low speed (USB)
PCI one two
connector size
connector data width
124 pins 124 pins
32 bits 32 bits
(maximum)
22
Specifications
Expansion Bus (Continued)
Vostro A100 Vostro A180
PCI Express x1 N/A one
connector size
connector data width
N/A 36 pins
N/A 1 PCI Express lane
(maximum)
PCI Express x16 N/A one
connector size
connector data width
N/A 164 pins
N/A 16 PCI Express lanes
(maximum)
Drives
Vostro A100 Vostro A180
Externally accessible: two 3.5-inch drive bays two 3.5-inch drive bays
Internally accessible four 3.5-inch SATA drive bays four 3.5-inch SATA drive bays
23
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