INSPIRON
SETUP GUIDE
™
Regulatory Model: D02U series
Regulatory Type: D02U001 and D02U002
™
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.
© 2009 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:
of Dell Inc.;
AMD and AMD Athlon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.;
Windows Vista,
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries;
Bluetooth
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.
Intel
is a registered trademark and
and
is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.
August 2009 P/N H4MWD Rev. A00
Dell
, the
Windows Vista
DELL
logo, YOURS IS HERE, Inspiron, Dell On Call, and
Atom
is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries;
start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft
Blu-ray Disc
is a trademark of the Blu‑ray Disc Association;
DellConnect
are trademarks
Microsoft, Windows
,
Contents
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop . . . . . . . .5
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . 5
Connect the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connect the Keyboard and Mouse. . . . . . . . . 8
Connect the Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Connect the Network Cable (Optional) . . . . 10
Press the Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Set Up the Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . . . 14
Using Your Inspiron Desktop . . . . . . . . . . .18
Front View Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Top View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Back View Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Dell Dock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Power Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . 36
Using Support Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Hardware Troubleshooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . .45
System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Operating System Reinstallation . . . . . . . . . 50
3
Contents
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Technical Support and Customer
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
DellConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Automated Order‑Status Service. . . . . . . . . 55
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Returning Items for Repair Under
Warranty or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Finding More Information and
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Basic Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
4
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
INSPIRON
This section provides information about setting
up your Inspiron™ 300/400.
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.
5
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
Connect the Display
Inspiron 300: Connect the display using the integrated VGA connector.
Inspiron 400: Connect the display using the integrated VGA connector or the HDMI connector. For
better performance it is recommended that you connect the display using the HDMI connector.
You can purchase the HDMI‑to‑DVI adapter and additional HDMI cables on the Dell website 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.
6
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
Connection Type Computer Cable Display
VGA‑to‑VGA
(VGA cable)
HDMI‑to‑HDMI
(HDMI cable)
HDMI‑to‑DVI
(HDMI‑to‑DVI
adapter + DVI cable)
7
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 the computer.
8
Connect the Power Cable
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
9
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
10
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
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).
Do not plug a telephone cable (RJ11 connector) into the network 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.
The network connector has two indicators, the network activity and the link integrity light.
11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
Press the Power Button
12
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
Set Up the Operating System
Your Dell computer is preconfigured with the
operating system you selected at the time of
purchase.
Set Up Microsoft Windows
To set up Microsoft® 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 on the
Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Set Up Ubuntu
To set up Ubuntu® for the first time, follow the
instructions on the screen. See the Ubuntu
Quick Start Guide that shipped with your
computer for more operating system specific
information.
13
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 from the Dell website at www.dell.com.
14
Setting Up a Wired Connection
If you are using a dial‑up connection, connect •
the telephone line to the optional external USB
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 XP
Save and close any open files, and exit any 1.
open programs.
Click 2. Start→ Control Panel.
Click 3. Network Connections.
Under 4. Network Connections, click Create a
New Connection.
Follow the instructions on the screen to 5.
complete the setup.
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→ Network
and Sharing Center→ Connect to a network.
Follow the instructions on the screen to 3.
complete the setup.
15
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
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.
To setup your Internet connection:
Windows XP
Save and close any open files, and exit any 1.
open programs.
Click 2. Start→ Control Panel.
Under 3. Network and Internet Connections,
select Setup or Change Your Internet
Connection.
The Internet Properties window appears.
16
Click 4. Setup.
The New Connection Wizard appears.
Click 5. Connect to the Internet.
In the next window, select the appropriate 6.
option:
If you do not have an ISP and want to –
select one, click Choose from a list of
Internet service providers (ISPs).
If you have already obtained the setup –
information from your ISP but did not
receive a setup CD, click Set up my
connection manually.
If you have a CD, click – Use the CD I got
from an ISP.
Click 7. Next.
If you selected Set up my connection
manually, continue to step 8. Otherwise,
follow the instructions on the screen to
complete the setup.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Desktop
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, contact your ISP.
Select the appropriate option under 8. How do
you want to connect to the Internet?, and
then click Next.
Use the setup information provided by your 9.
ISP to complete the setup.
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.
Click 3. 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 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.
Click 3. 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.
17
Using Your Inspiron Desktop
This section provides information about the features available on your Inspiron™ desktop.
INSPIRON
Front View Features
1
2
18
45
3
Using Your Inspiron Desktop
1
Optical drive (optional) — Plays or records only standard‑size (12 cm) CDs, DVDs, and
Blu‑ray Discs.
2
Optical drive eject button — Opens the optical drive disc tray when pressed.
3
4-in-1 Memory card reader — Provides a fast and convenient way to view and share
digital photos, music, videos, and documents stored on the following digital memory cards:
Secure Digital (SD) memory card•
Mini Secure Digital • memory card
Micro SD/SDHC • memory card
4
USB 2.0 connectors (2) — Connects to USB devices that are connected occasionally
such as memory keys, digital cameras, and MP3 players.
5
Headphone connector — Connects to headphones.
19
Using Your Inspiron Desktop
Top View Features
20
1
Using Your Inspiron Desktop
1
Power button and light — Turns the power on or off when pressed. The light in the
center of this button indicates the power state:
Off — The computer is either turned off, in hibernate mode, or is not receiving power.•
Solid white — The computer is on.•
Solid amber — The computer is in sleep state or there is a problem with the system board.•
Blinking amber — Indicates a problem with the system board or the power supply.•
NOTE: For information on power problems, see “Power Problems” on page 33.
21
Using Your Inspiron Desktop
Back View Features
Inspiron 300
3 4
5
Inspiron 400
5
6
43
6
22
7
8
2
1
9
2
11
1
910
7
8