Dell Inspiron 530 User Manual

Download

Dell™ Inspiron™ 530 Series

Owner’s Manual

Model DCMF

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.

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

Windows® operating systems are not applicable.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the "Glossary" on page 203.

____________________

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, YOURS IS HERE, and Inspiron are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license; Microsoft, Windows, Internet Explorer, Windows Vista, and Windows Vista start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks, SpeedStep and Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and 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 DCMF

September 2008 P/N KP338 Rev. A05

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . . . 15

Front View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

Inspiron 530b/530d

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Back View of the Computer

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

Inspiron 530b/530d

Back Panel Connectors

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

Inspiron 530b/530d

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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

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

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

Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure

Setting Up a Printer

Printer Cable

Connecting a USB Printer

Playing CDs and DVDs

Adjusting the Volume

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

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Configuring the Audio Connectors for

5.1-Channel

Adjusting the Picture

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . 27

Contents 3

Copying CDs and DVDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

How to Copy a CD or DVD

Using Blank CDs and DVDs

Helpful Tips

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)

Connecting Two Monitors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . 36

Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector

Connecting a TV

Changing the Display Settings

Power Management

Power Management Options in Microsoft

Standby Mode

Hibernate Mode

Power Options Properties

Power Management Options in Windows Vista

Standby Mode

Hibernate Mode

Power Plan Properties

Enabling SpeedStep™ Technology

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Windows® XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

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

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

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

. . . . . . 39

4 Contents

About RAID Configurations

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

RAID Level 1 Configuration

Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel Option ROM Utility

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel Matrix Storage Manager

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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

. . . . . . . 48

Transferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . . 54

Microsoft

Windows® XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows

XP Operating System. . . . . . . . . . 59

Setting Up a Network in the Windows Vista Operating System

Connecting to the Internet

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

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

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

. . . . . . . . . 58

. . . . . . . . 60

2 Solving Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Troubleshooting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Battery Problems

Drive Problems

CD and DVD drive problems

Hard drive problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages

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

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . 66

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

Keyboard Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Lockups and Software Problems

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 Microsoft

Windows® operating system . . . . . 71

. . . . . . . . . . . . 70

. . . . . . . . . . 70

. . . . . . . . . . . . 70

. . . . . . . . . . . 70

Contents 5

A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your

computer. Some features or media may not be available 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

• Model Number

Setup Diagram

See the back of your computer for the model number.

NOTE: If there is no label present, the model

number is Inspiron 530.

Finding Information 11

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

• Microsoft Windows License Label

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and 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

• 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

Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License

These labels are located on your computer.

•Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use or contact support.

•Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support.

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.

support.dell.com

12 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Desktop System Software (DSS)— If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should also reinstall the DSS utility. DSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for Dell™ 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, optical drives, and USB devices. DSS 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

Go to

support.dell.com

and Downloads

Click

Select Model

Select your product model and click

Confirm Go

Click

System Utilities

Click

Desktop System Software

Dell - Utility

Click

Run

save the driver to your computer.

NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface

may vary depending on your selections.

NOTE: DSS may or may not be available for

your desktop model.

• How to use your Windows® operating system

• How to work with programs and files

• How to personalize my desktop

Windows Help and Support

To access Windows Help and Support:

• In Windows XP, click

Help and Support

• In Windows Vista Vista Start button

and Support

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

Click the topic that describes your problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Desktop

System Software:

and click

Drivers

, or enter a service tag and click

under

, and click

to run the driver, or

Download Now

Save

Start and click

, click the Windows

and click

Help

Finding Information 13

14 Finding Information

Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Front View of the Computer

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

13 12

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 15

1 Service Tag (located on

top of the chassis towards the back)

2 CD/DVD drive Use the CD/DVD drive for playing a CD/DVD.

3 CD/DVD eject button Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive.

4 optional CD/DVD drive

bay

5 optional CD/DVD eject

button

6 USB 2.0 connectors (4) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you

7 IEEE 1394 connector

(optional)

8 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach

9 power button,

power light

Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support.

Can contain an optional CD/DVD drive.

Press to eject a disk from the optional CD or DVD drive.

connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup Options" on page 189 for more information on booting to a USB device). It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

Attach high-speed serial multimedia devices, such as digital video cameras.

headphones and most kinds of speakers.

Press the power button to turn on the computer. The light in the center of this button indicates power state. See "Controls and Lights" on page 185 for more information.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the

power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

10 drive activity light The drive activity light is on when the computer

reads data from or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as a CD player is operating.

11 front panel door grip Slide up the front panel door grip to cover the

FlexBay drive, four Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, one headphone connector, and one microphone connector.

16 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

12 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal

computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program. On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.

13 FlexBay drive Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional

Media Card Reader.

14 CD/DVD drive panel This panel covers the CD/DVD drive.

(Shown in open position)

Inspiron 530b/530d

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 17

1 Service Tag (located on

top of the chassis towards the back)

2 CD/DVD drive Use the CD/DVD drive for playing a CD/DVD.

3 CD/DVD eject button Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive.

4 optional CD/DVD drive

bay

5 optional CD/DVD eject

button

6 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you

7 IEEE 1394 connector

(optional)

8 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach

9 power button,

power light

Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support.

Can contain an optional CD/DVD drive.

Press to eject a disk from the optional CD or DVD drive.

Attach high-speed serial multimedia devices, such as digital video cameras.

headphones and most kinds of speakers.

Press the power button to turn on the computer. The light in the center of this button indicates power state. See "Controls and Lights" on page 185 for more information.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the

power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

10 drive activity light The drive activity light is on when the computer

reads data from or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as a CD player is operating.

11 front panel door grip Slide up the front panel door grip to cover the

FlexBay drive, four Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, one headphone connector, and one microphone connector.

18 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

12 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal

computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program. On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.

13 FlexBay drive Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional

Media Card Reader.

14 CD/DVD drive panel This panel covers the CD/DVD drive.

(Shown in open position)

Back View of the Computer

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

1 2

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19

1 power connector Insert the power cable.

2 voltage selector switch For selecting voltage rating.

3 power supply light Indicates power availability for power supply.

4 back panel connectors Plug USB, audio, and other devices into the

appropriate connector. See "Back Panel Connectors" on page 22for more information.

5 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI

Express cards.

6 padlock rings Padlock rings are for attaching a commercially

available theft-deterrent device. The padlock rings allow you to secure the computer cover to the chassis with a padlock to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the computer. To use the padlock rings, insert a commercially available padlock through the rings, and then lock the padlock.

7 security cable slot Security cable slot lets you attach a commercially

available antitheft device to the computer. For more information, see the instructions included with the device.

CAUTION: Ensure that none of the system air vents are blocked. Blocking them

can cause serious thermal problems.

20 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Inspiron 530b/530d

2 3

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 21

1 power connector Insert the power cable.

2 voltage selector

switch

3 power supply light Indicates power availability for power supply.

4 back panel

connectors

5 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express

6 padlock rings Padlock rings are for attaching a commercially available

7 security cable slot Security cable slot lets you attach a commercially available

For selecting voltage rating.

Plug USB, audio, and other devices into the appropriate connector. See "Back Panel Connectors" on page 22for more information.

cards.

theft-deterrent device. The padlock rings allow you to secure the computer cover to the chassis with a padlock to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the computer. To use the padlock rings, insert a commercially available padlock through the rings, and then lock the padlock.

antitheft device to the computer. For more information, see the instructions included with the device.

Back Panel Connectors

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

22 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

1 network activity

light

2 network adapter

connector

Flashes a yellow light when the computer is transmitting or receiving network data. A high volume of network traffic may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state.

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

NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network

connector.

On computers with a network connector card, use the connector on the card. It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation.

3 link integrity light

4 center/subwoofer

connector

5 line-in connector Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback

• Green — A good connection exists between a 10/100-Mbps network and the computer.

• Off — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.

Use the orange connector to attach a speaker to a Low Frequency Effects (LFE) audio channel. LFE audio channel is found in digital surround sound audio schemes that carries only low frequency information of 80 Hz and below. The LFE channel drives a subwoofer to provide extremely low bass extension. Systems not using subwoofers can shunt the LFE information to the main speakers in the surround sound set-up.

device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR. On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 23

6 front L/R line-out

connector

7 microphone Use the pink connector to attach a personal computer

8 side L/R surround

connector

9 rear L/R surround

connector

10 USB 2.0

connectors (4)

11 VGA video

connector

Use the green line-out connector (available on computers with integrated sound) to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers. On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.

microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program. On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.

Use the gray connector to provide enhanced surround audio for computers with 7.1 speakers. On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.

Use the black surround connector to attach multichannelcapable speakers.

Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras.

Connect the monitor’s VGA cable to the VGA connector on the computer.

On computers with a video card, use the connector on the card.

24 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Inspiron 530b/530d

1 network activity

light

2 network adapter

connector

3 link integrity light

Flashes a yellow light when the computer is transmitting or receiving network data. A high volume of network traffic may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state.

NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network

connector.

• Green — A good connection exists between a 10/100-Mbps network and the computer.

• Off — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 25

4 line-in connector /

surround out

5 front L/R line-out

connector

6 microphone

connector / center / sub woofer speaker out

7 USB 2.0

connectors (4)

8 VGA video

connector

Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR. On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.

NOTE: To configure this connector to 5.1 - Channel, see

"Configuring the Audio Connectors for 5.1-Channel" on page 33.

Use the pink connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program. On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.

NOTE: To configure this connector to 5.1 - Channel, see

"Configuring the Audio Connectors for 5.1-Channel" on page 33.

Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras.

Connect the monitor’s VGA cable to the VGA connector on the computer.

On computers with a video card, use the connector on the card.

26 Setting Up and Using 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:

NOTICE: The operating temperature specifications indicated in this Owner’s

Manual reflects the maximum ambient operating temperature. The room ambient temperature needs to be a consideration when installing 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 your computer’s maximum operating temperature. For details about your computer’s specifications, see "Specifications" on page 179.

• Leave a 10.2 cm (4 inches) minimum clearance on all vented sides of the computer to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.

• If your enclosure has doors, they need to be of a type that allows at least 30% airflow through the enclosure (front and back).

• If your computer is installed in a corner on a desk or under a desk, leave at least 5.1 cm (2 inches) clearance from the back of the computer to the wall to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 27

• 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.

28 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

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.

For technical assistance, refer to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer.

Printer Cable

Your printer connects to your computer with either a USB cable or a parallel 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 and computer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer’s shipping box.

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.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 29

1 USB connector on

computer

Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer.

Depending on your computer’s operating system, a printer wizard may be

2 USB connector on

printer

3 USB printer

cable

available to help you install the printer driver:

If your computer is running the Microsoft system and the

Add New Hardware Wizard

If your computer is running the Windows Vista the Windows Vista Start button , and click start the

Install the printer driver if necessary. See "Reinstalling Drivers and

Add Printer Wizard

Windows®

XP operating

window appears, click

operating system, click

Network→ Add a printer

Utilities" on page 95 and the documentation that came with your printer.

30 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Cancel

Playing CDs and DVDs

NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep

the tray closed when you are not using the drive.

NOTICE: Do not move the computer when you are playing CDs or DVDs.

Press the eject button on the front of the drive.

Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray.

Press the eject button or gently push in the tray.

To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the CD software that came with your computer.

NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs.

A CD player includes the following basic buttons:

Play

Move backward within the current track

Pau se

Move forward within the current track

Stop

Go to the previous track

Eject

Go to the next track

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 31

A DVD player includes the following basic buttons:

Stop

Restart the current chapter

Play

Fast forward

Pau se

Fast reverse

Advance a single frame while in pause mode

Go to the next title or chapter

Continuously play the current title or chapter

Go to the previous title or chapter

Eject

For more information on playing CDs or DVDs, click Help on the CD or DVD player (if available).

Adjusting the Volume

NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing.

Microsoft® Windows® XP:

Click

Start, point to

Devices

Under the

Volume tab

the sound volume.

Windows Vista®:

Click

Start

, point to

and then click

In the

Volume Mixer

column and slide it up or down to increase or decrease the volume.

Control Panel→ Sounds, and then click

, click and drag the device volume slider to adjust

Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Sound

Adjust System Volume

window, click and drag the bar in the

Audio

Speakers

32 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Configuring the Audio Connectors for 5.1-Channel

NOTE: The following is applicable only for Inspiron 530b/530d.

Windows XP:

Click

Start, point to

Under

Speaker settings

Under

Speaker Setup

Control Panel→ Sounds→ Audio devices→

click

choose

Advanced

Surround sound 5.1 setup

Volume.

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

Under the and select

Under boxes for

Select the check boxes for

, point to

Playback

5.1 Surround.

Speaker Setup,

Optional speakers.

Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Sound

tab select

Speakers/Headphones

Click

Next.

. Click on

Configure

customize your configuration by selecting the check

Click

Next.

Full-range speakers. C

lick

Next→ Finish.

Adjusting the Picture

If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are using too much memory and preventing DVD playback, adjust the display properties:

Windows XP:

Click

Start→

Under

In the drop-down menu under

click

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

Personalization

Under

The

Display Properties

Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes

Pick a task...

Screen resolution

, click

Change the screen resolution

, click and drag the bar to reduce the resolution setting.

Color quality

click

Control Panel

, and then click

Personalization

, click

Adjust Screen Resolution

window appears.

, click

Medium (16 bit)

Appearance and

and

Under

Resolution:

In the drop-down menu under

Click OK.

click and drag the bar reduce the resolution setting.

Colors:

, click

Medium (16 bit)

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 33

Copying CDs and DVDs

NOTE: Ensure that you observe all copyright laws when creating CDs or DVDs.

This section applies only to computers that have a CD-RW, DVD+/-RW, or CD-RW/DVD (combo) drive.

NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may vary by country.

The following instructions explain how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD. You can also use Sonic DigitalMedia for other purposes, such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on your computer or backing up important data. For help, open Sonic DigitalMedia and then click the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of the window.

How to Copy a CD or DVD

NOTE: CD-RW/DVD combo drives cannot write to DVD media. If you have a

CD-RW/DVD combo drive and you experience recording problems, check for available software patches on the Sonic support website at www.sonic.com.

The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to and read DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and DVD+R DL (dual layer) media, but cannot write to and may not read DVD-RAM or DVD-R DL media.

NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied

using Sonic DigitalMedia.

Click

Start

Copy→ Disc Copy

To copy the CD or DVD:

If you have one CD or DVD drive

• click the and copies the data to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive.

When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive and click

→ All Programs→

Disc Copy

Sonic→ DigitalMedia Projects

, ensure that the settings are correct and

button. The computer reads your source CD or DVD

→

If you have two CD or DVD drives

• inserted your source CD or DVD and click the The computer copies the data from the source CD or DVD to the blank CD or DVD.

Once you have finished copying the source CD or DVD, the CD or DVD that you have created automatically ejects.

34 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

, select the drive into which you have

Disc Copy

button.

Using Blank CDs and DVDs

CD-RW drives can write to CD recording media only (including high-speed CD-RW) while DVD-writable drives can write to both CD and DVD recording media.

Use blank CD-Rs to record music or permanently store data files. After creating a CD-R, you cannot write to that CD-R again (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.

Blank DVD+/-Rs can be used to permanently store large amounts of information. After you create a DVD+/-R disc, you may not be able to write to that disc again if the disc is "finalized" or "closed" during the final stage of the disc creation process. Use blank DVD+/-RWs if you plan to erase, rewrite, or update information on that disc later.

CD-Writable Drives

Media Type Read Write Rewritable

CD-R Yes Yes No

C D- RW Ye s Ye s Ye s

DVD-Writable Drives

Media Type Read Write Rewritable

CD-R Yes Yes No

C D- RW Ye s Ye s Ye s

DVD+R Yes Yes No

DVD-R Yes Yes No

DV D +R W Ye s Ye s Ye s

DV D -R W Ye s Ye s Ye s

DVD+R DL Yes Yes No

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 35

Helpful Tips

• Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic DigitalMedia and open a DigitalMedia project.

• Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos.

• You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic DigitalMedia.

• Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed.

• Commercially available DVD players used in home theater systems may not support all available DVD formats. For a list of formats supported by your DVD player, see the documentation provided with your DVD player or contact the manufacturer.

• Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a 650-MB file to a blank 650-MB CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1–2 MB of the blank space to finalize the recording.

• Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD-R.

• See the Sonic website at

www.sonic.com

for additional information.

Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)

Use the Media Card Reader to transfer data directly to your computer.

The Media Card Reader supports the following memory types:

•xD-Picture Card

• SmartMedia (SMC)

• CompactFlash Type I and II (CF I/II)

• MicroDrive Card

• SecureDigital Card (SD)

• MultiMediaCard (MMC)

• Memory Stick (MS/MS Pro)

36 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

For information on installing a Media Card Reader, see "Installing a Media Card Reader" on page 152.

1 xD-Picture Card and

SmartMedia (SMC)

3 Memory Stick (MS/MS Pro) 4 SecureDigital Card (SD)/

2 CompactFlash Type I and II (CF I/II)

and MicroDrive Card

MultiMediaCard (MMC)

To use the Media Card Reader:

Check the media or card to determine the proper orientation for insertion.

Slide the media or card into the appropriate slot until it is completely seated in the connector.

If you encounter resistance, do not force the media or card. Check the card orientation and try again.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 37

Connecting Two Monitors

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

If you purchased a graphics card that supports dual monitors, follow these instructions to connect and enable your monitors. The instructions tell you how to connect either two monitors (each with a VGA connector), one monitor with a VGA connector and one monitor with a DVI connector, or a TV.

NOTICE: If you are connecting two monitors that have VGA connectors, you must

have the optional DVI adapter to connect the cable. If you are connecting two flat-panel monitors, at least one of them must have a VGA connector. If you are connecting a TV, you may connect only one monitor (VGA or DVI) in addition to the TV.

Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 105.

NOTE: If your computer has integrated video, do not connect either monitor to the

integrated video connector. If the integrated video connector is covered by a cap, do not remove the cap to connect the monitor or the monitor will not function.

Connect one of the monitors to the VGA (blue) connector on the back of the computer.

Connect the other monitor to the optional DVI adapter and connect the DVI adapter to the DVI (white) connector on the back of the computer.

38 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

*May not be present on your computer

1 optional DVI adapter 2 DVI (white) connector

3 TV-OUT connector 4 VGA (blue) connector

Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 105.

Connect the VGA connector on the monitor to the VGA (blue) connector on the back of the computer.

Connect the DVI connector on the other monitor to the DVI (white) connector on the back of the computer.

Connecting a TV

NOTE: You must purchase an S-video cable, available at most consumer electronics

stores, to connect a TV to your computer. It is not included with your computer.

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 105.

Connect one end of the S-video cable to the optional TV-OUT connector on the back of the computer.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 39

Connect the other end of the S-video cable to the S-video input connector on your TV.

Connect the VGA or DVI monitor.

Changing the Display Settings

After you connect the monitor(s) or TV, turn on the computer.

The Microsoft

Enable extended desktop mode in the display settings. In extended desktop mode, you can drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the amount of viewable work space.

Windows® desktop displays on the primary monitor.

Power Management

Power Management Options in Microsoft® Windows® XP

The Microsoft® Windows® XP power management features can reduce the amount of electricity your computer uses when it is on and you are not using it. You can reduce power to just the monitor or the hard drive, or you can use standby mode or hibernate mode to reduce power to the entire computer. When the computer exits from a power conservation mode, it returns to the operating state it was in prior to entering the mode.

NOTE: Windows XP Professional includes security and networking features not

available in Windows XP Home Edition. When a Windows XP Professional computer is connected to a network, different options related to security and networking appear in certain windows.

NOTE: The procedures to activate the standby and hibernate modes may vary

according to your operating system.

Standby Mode

Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a designated period of time, known as a time-out. When the computer exits from standby mode, it returns to the operating state it was in prior to entering standby mode.

NOTICE: If your computer loses power while in standby mode, it may lose data.

40 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

NOTICE: The graphics card in your computer is installed in the PCI Express x16 slot.

When there is a card in this slot and you add a peripheral that does not support s3 suspend, your computer will not enter standby mode.

To set standby mode to automatically activate after a defined period of inactivity:

Click the

Define your standby settings on the tab.

To immediately activate standby mode without a period of inactivity, click the Start button, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Stand by.

To exit from standby mode, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.

Start

button, then click

Control Panel

Power Schemes

tab and

Advanced

Hibernate Mode

Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive, and then completely turning off the computer. When the computer exits from hibernate mode, the desktop is restored to the state it was in

prior to entering hibernate mode.

To activate hibernate mode:

Click the

Define your hibernate settings on the and

To exit from hibernate mode, press the power button. The computer may take a short time to exit from hibernate mode. Because the keyboard and the mouse do not function when the computer is in hibernate mode, pressing a key on the keyboard or moving the mouse does not bring the computer out of hibernation.

Because hibernate mode requires a special file on your hard drive with enough disk space to store the contents of the computer memory, Dell creates an appropriately sized hibernate mode file before shipping the computer to you. If the computer’s hard drive becomes corrupted, Windows XP recreates the hibernate file automatically.

Start

Hibernate

button, then click

tab.

Control Panel

Power Schemes

tab,

Advanced

tab,

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 41

Power Options Properties

Define your standby mode settings, hibernate mode settings, and other power settings in the Power Options Properties window. Power Options Properties window:

Click the

Define your power settings on the

Hibernate

Power Schemes Tab

Start

button, then click

tab.

Control Panel

Power Schemes

Each standard power setting is called a scheme. If you want to select one of the standard Windows schemes installed on your computer, choose a scheme from the Power schemes drop-down menu. The settings for each scheme appear in the fields below the scheme name. Each scheme has different settings for starting standby mode, hibernate mode, turning off the monitor, and turning off the hard drive.

NOTICE: If you set the hard drive to time-out before the monitor does, your

computer may appear to be locked up. To recover, press any key on the keyboard or click the mouse. To avoid this problem, always set the monitor to time-out before the hard drive.

The Power schemes drop-down menu displays the following schemes:

•

Always On

(default) — If you want to use your computer with no power

conservation.

•

Home/Office Desk

— If you use your computer as a home or office

computer and you require minimal power conservation.

•

Minimal Power Management

— If you want your computer to run with

minimal power conservation.

•

Max Battery

— If your computer is a portable computer and you run your

computer from batteries for extended periods of time.

If you want to change the default settings for a scheme, click the drop-down menu in the Turn off monitor, Turn off hard disks, System stand by, or System hibernates field, and then select a time-out from the displayed list. Changing the time-out for a scheme field permanently changes the default settings for that scheme, unless you click Save As and enter a new name for the changed scheme.

To access the

tab,

Advanced

tab, and

42 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Advanced Tab

The Advanced tab allows you to:

• Place the power options icon in the Windows taskbar for quick access.

• Set the computer to prompt you for your Windows password before the computer exits from standby mode or hibernate mode.

• Program the power button to activate standby mode, activate hibernate mode, or turn off the computer.

To program these functions, click an option from the corresponding drop-down menu and click OK.

Hibernate Tab

The Hibernate tab allows you to enable hibernate mode. If you want to use the hibernate settings as defined on the Power Schemes tab, click the Enable hibernate support check box on the Hibernate tab.

For more information on power management options:

Click the

In the

your computer

Start

button, then click

Help and Support

window, click

Help and Support

Performance and maintenance

window, click

Conserving power on

Power Management Options in Windows Vista

The Windows Vista® power management features are designed to reduce the amount of electricity your computer uses when it is on and you are not using it. You can reduce power to just the monitor or the hard drive, and Windows Vista sets the default "off" state to standby mode or you can set hibernate mode to reduce power even further.

When the computer exits from a power conservation mode (Standby or Hibernate), the Windows desktop is restored to the state it was in before it entered the mode.

Windows Vista has three main default power management modes:

• Balanced

• Power Saver

• High Performance

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 43

Dell has added a fourth, Dell-Recommended mode that sets power management to the most typical settings for the majority of our customers. This is the active Power Plan.

Standby Mode

Standby mode is the default "off" state for Windows Vista. Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a time-out. When the computer exits from standby mode, it returns to the operating state it was in before it entered standby mode.

To set standby mode to automatically activate after a defined period of inactivity:

Click

Start

and click

Click

System and Maintenance

Under

System and Maintenance

The next dialog box will show three power plans - the top option is Dell Recommended - this is the currently active plan.

There is also a show additional plans arrow underneath the three power plans. You can have many power plans, but only three are displayed and the top one is the active plan.

To immediately activate standby mode without a period of inactivity, click Start , and then click the off button icon. Windows Vista sets Standby as the default off state.

To exit from standby mode, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.

Control Pane

, click

Power Options

NOTICE: If your computer loses power while in standby mode, it may lose data.

Windows Vista has a new feature called Hybrid Sleep mode - this saves the data into a file and also puts the system into standby. If you lose power, the system retains your data on the hard drive and resumes to the same state you left it. Go to Help and Support and search for Hybrid Sleep for further information. Hybrid Sleep provides fast wake if the system is in standby, but also keeps your data safe by storing it to the hard drive.

Hibernate Mode

Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive and then completely turning off the computer. When the computer exits from hibernate mode, the desktop is restored to the state it was in before it entered hibernate mode. Windows Vista may mask Hibernate from the user if Hybrid Sleep is enabled. See Help and Support for further information - search for Hibernate.

44 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

To activate hibernate mode immediately (if available):

Click

Start

and click the

lock

icon.

Select

Hibernate

To exit from hibernate mode, press the power button. The computer may take a short time to exit from hibernate mode. Pressing a key on the keyboard or moving the mouse does not bring the computer out of hibernation, because the keyboard and the mouse do not function when the computer is in hibernate mode.

Because hibernate mode requires a special file on your hard drive with enough disk space to store the contents of the computer memory, Dell creates an appropriately sized hibernate mode file before shipping the computer to you. If the computer's hard drive becomes corrupted, Windows Vista recreates the hibernate file automatically.

from the list.

arrow

(pointing to the right) beside the

Power Plan Properties

Define your standby mode settings, display mode settings, hibernate mode settings (if available), and other power settings in the Power Plan Properties window. To access the Power Plan Properties window:

Click

Start

and click

Click

System and Maintenance

Under

System and Maintenance

This takes you to the main

Control Panel

Select a Power Plan

, click

Power Options

window.

In the

Select A Power Plan

To change the default settings for a plan:

Click

A number of options are available on the left-hand side of the Power Options dialog box.

Start

Under

Pick a category

Under

System and Maintenance

, and click

window, you can change or modify power settings.

Control Panel

, click

System and Maintenance

, click

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 45

Power Options

Click Change Plan Settings just below any of the power plans to change settings such as:

• Require a password on wakeup.

• Choose what power buttons do.

• Create a power plan (you can choose the settings you want and create a custom power plan here).

• Choose when to turn off the display

• Change when the computer sleeps.

Advanced Tab

The Advanced tab allows you to set many different settings beyond the basic ones above. If you do not know or are not sure what to set, then leave settings at the default. To access the advanced settings:

Choose the

Click

CAUTION: There are many different settings in the Power Options, Advanced

Settings dialog box. Use care when making setting changes.

Click Start and then click Help and Support to explore the capabilities of the advanced settings.

Power Plan

Change Plan Settings

Change Advanced Power Settings

you want to change.

from just below the plan name.

Enabling SpeedStep™ Technology

SpeedStep technology controls your computer's processor performance automatically, dynamically adjusting the operating frequency and voltage, according to the task at hand. When an application does not require full performance, significant amounts of power can be saved. Performance is designed to still be responsive, with maximum processor performance being delivered when required, and automatic power savings when possible.

Windows Vista automatically sets Intel Speedstep technologies in the Dell Recommended, Balanced, and Power Saver power plans. It is disabled in the High Performance power plan.

46 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

About RAID Configurations

NOTE: RAID is not supported on Inspiron 530b/530d.

This section provides an overview of the redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configuration you may have selected when you purchased your computer. Your computer supports RAID level 1. A RAID level 1 configuration is recommended for the data integrity requirements of digital photography and audio.

The Intel RAID controller on your computer can only create a RAID volume using two physical drives. If a third drive is present, then that drive cannot be made part of a RAID volume using the Intel RAID configuration program, although it can be used as a spare drive in a RAID 1 configuration. However, if four drives are present in your computer, then each pair of drives can be made into a RAID level 1 volume. The drives should be the same size in order to ensure that the larger drive does not contain unallocated (and therefore unusable) space.

RAID Level 1 Configuration

RAID level 1 uses a data-redundancy storage technique known as "mirroring." When data is written to the primary drive, it is then duplicated, or mirrored, on the other drive. A RAID level 1 configuration sacrifices high data access rates for its data redundancy advantages.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 47

serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 1

segment 1 segment 2

segment 3

segment 4

segment 5

segment 6

hard drive 1

segment 1 duplicated

segment 2 duplicated

segment 3 duplicated

segment 4 duplicated

segment 5 duplicated

segment 6 duplicated

hard drive 2

If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive. A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the surviving drive. Also, because data is duplicated on both drives, two 120-GB RAID level 1 drives collectively have a maximum of 120-GB on which to store data.

NOTE: In a RAID level 1 configuration, the size of the configuration is equal to the

size of the smallest drive in the configuration.

Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

Your computer can be configured for RAID even if you did not select a RAID configuration when you purchased your computer. You must have at least two hard drives installed in your computer to set up a RAID configuration. For instructions on how to install a hard drive, see "Hard Drives" on page 140.

You can use one of two methods to configure RAID hard drive volumes. One method uses the Intel you install the operating system onto the hard drive. The second method uses the Intel Matrix Storage Manager or Intel Storage Utility, and this method is performed after you have installed the operating system and the Intel Storage Utility. Both methods require that you set your computer to RAID-enabled mode before starting any of the RAID configuration procedures in this document. Both methods require that you set your computer to RAID-enabled mode before you begin.

Option ROM utility, and is performed before

48 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

Enter the system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 188).

Press the left- and right- arrow keys to highlight

Integrated Peripherals

press <Enter>.

Press the up- and down- arrow keys to highlight

Drive Controller

press <Enter>.

Press the up- and down- arrow keys to highlight

SATA Mode

, and then

press <Enter> to access the options.

Press the up- and down- arrow keys to highlight

RAID,

and then press

<Enter> to enable RAID.

Press <F10> to save and exit System Setup.

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® Option ROM Utility

NOTE: Although any size drives may be used to create a RAID configuration using

the Intel Option ROM utility, ideally the drives should be of equal size. In a RAID level 0 configuration, the size of the array will be the size of the smallest disk multiplied by the number (two) of disks in the array. In a RAID level 1 configuration, the size of the array will be the smaller of the two disks used.

Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see "Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode" on page 49).

Press <Ctrl><i> when you are prompted to enter Intel RAID Option ROM.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight press <Enter>.

Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default, and press <Enter>.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select <Enter>.

If there are more than two hard disks available, use the up- and down-arrow keys and space bar to select the two disks you want to use to make up your array, and then press <Enter>.

Select the desired capacity for the volume, and press <Enter>. The default value is the maximum available size.

Create RAID Volume

RAID1(Mirror)

, and press

and

, and then

, and

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 49

Press <Enter> to create the volume.

Press <y> to confirm that you want to create the RAID volume.

Confirm that the correct volume configuration is displayed on the main Intel Option ROM screen.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select

Install the operating system.

Deleting a RAID Volume

NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.

NOTE: If your computer currently boots to RAID and you delete the RAID volume in

the Intel RAID Option ROM, your computer will become unbootable.

Press <Ctrl><i> when you are prompted to enter the Intel RAID Option

Exit

, and press <Enter>.

ROM utility.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight

Delete RAID Volume

, and

press <Enter>.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the RAID volume you want to delete, and press <Delete>.

Press <y> to confirm the deletion of the RAID volume.

Press <Esc> to exit the Intel Option ROM utility.

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager

If you already have one hard drive with the operating system installed on it, and you want to add a second hard drive and reconfigure both drives into a RAID volume without losing the existing operating system and any data, you need to use the migrating option (see "Migrating to a RAID 1 Volume" on page 52). Create a RAID 1 Volume only when:

• You are adding two new drives to an existing single-drive computer (and the operating system is on the single drive), and you want to configure the two new drives into a RAID volume.

• You already have a two-hard drive computer configured into an array, but you still have some space left on the array that you want to designate as a second RAID volume.

50 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Creating a RAID 1 Volume

NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see "Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode" on page 49).

Click

Start

Manager

and point to

→

Intel Matrix Storage Console

All Programs→ Intel® Matrix Storage

to launch the Intel® Matrix

Storage Manager.

NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your

computer to RAID-enabled mode (see "Setting Your Computer to RAIDEnabled Mode" on page 49).

On the

Actions

menu, select

Create RAID Volume

to launch the Create

RAID Volume Wizard.

Click

at the first screen.

Confirm the volume name, select click

to continue.

On the

Select Volume Location

RAID 1

as the RAID level, and then

screen, click the first hard drive you want to use to create your RAID 1 volume, and then click the right arrow. Click a second hard drive until two drives appear in the and then click

In the

Specify Volume Size

click

Click

Finish

Follow Microsoft Windows procedures for creating a partition on the new

window, select the

to create the volume, or click

Volume Size

Back

to make changes.

Selected

desired and

RAID volume.

window,

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 51

Deleting a RAID Volume

NOTE: While this procedure deletes the RAID 1 volume, it also splits the RAID 1

volume into two non-RAID hard drives with a partition, and leaves any existing data files intact.

Click

Start

Manager

and point to

→

Intel Matrix Storage Console

All Programs→ Intel® Matrix Storage

to launch the Intel® Matrix

Storage Manager.

Right-click the select

Delete Volume

On the

Highlight the RAID volume you want to delete in the

Delete RAID Volume Wizard

Volume

icon of the RAID volume you want to delete, and

screen, click

Available

the right-arrow button to move the highlighted RAID volume into the

Selected

Click

Migrating to a RAID 1 Volume

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see "Setting Your Computer to

box, and then click

Finish

to delete the volume.

RAID-Enabled Mode" on page 49).

Click

Start

Manager

and point to

→

Intel Matrix Storage Console

All Programs→ Intel® Matrix Storage

to launch the Intel® Matrix

Storage Manager.

NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your

computer to RAID-enabled mode (see "Setting Your Computer to RAIDEnabled Mode" on page 49).

On the

Drive

Click

Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default.

From the drop-down box, select

Actions

menu, click

Create RAID Volume From Existing Hard

to launch the Migration Wizard.

on the first Migration Wizard screen.

RAID 1

as the RAID level

box, click

NOTE: Select the hard drive that already has the data or operating system

files that you want to maintain on the RAID volume as your source hard drive.

On the

Select Source Hard Drive

screen, double-click the hard drive from

which you want to migrate, and click

52 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

On the

Select Member Hard Drive

screen, double-click the hard drive to select the member drive that you want to act as the mirror in the array, and click

On the click

Click

Specify Volume Size

NOTE: In the following step, you will lose all data contained on the

member drive.

Finish

to start migrating, or click

screen, select the volume size you want, and

Back

to make changes. You can use

your computer normally during migration process.

Creating a Spare Hard Drive

A spare hard drive may be created with a RAID 1 array. The spare hard drive is not recognized by the operating system, but you can see the spare drive from within Disk Manager or the Intel Option ROM Utility. When a member of the RAID 1 array is broken, the computer automatically rebuilds the mirror array using the spare hard drive as the broken member’s replacement.

To Mark a Drive as a Spare Hard Drive:

Click

Start

Manager

and point to

→

Intel Matrix Storage Console

All Programs→ Intel® Matrix Storage

to launch the Intel® Matrix

Storage Manager.

Right-click the hard drive you want to mark as a spare hard drive.

Click

Mark as Spare

To Remove Spare Marking From a Spare Hard Drive:

Right-click the spare hard drive icon.

Click

Reset Hard Drive to Non-RAID

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 53

Rebuilding a Degraded RAID 1 Volume

If your computer does not have a spare hard drive, and the computer has reported a degraded RAID 1 volume, you can manually rebuild the computer’s redundancy mirror to a new hard drive by performing the following steps:

Click

Start

Manager

and point to

→

Intel Matrix Storage Console

All Programs→ Intel® Matrix Storage

to launch the Intel® Matrix

Storage Manager.

Right-click the available hard drive to which you want to rebuild the RAID 1 volume, and click

NOTE: You can use your computer while the computer is rebuilding the RAID 1 volume.

Rebuild to this Disk

Transferring Information to a New Computer

You can use your operating system "wizards" to help you transfer files and other data from one computer to another—for example, from an old computer to a new computer. For instructions, see the following section that corresponds to the operating system that your computer is running.

Microsoft® Windows® XP

The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer. You can transfer data, such as:

• E-mail messages

• Toolbar settings

• Window sizes

• Internet bookmarks

You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.

NOTE: You can transfer information from an old computer to a new computer by

directly connecting a serial cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you must access the Network Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration steps, such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host computer and the guest computer.

54 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

For instructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article #305621, titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP. This information may not be available in certain countries.

For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System media for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media

NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System media. This media is optional

and may not be included with certain computers.

To prepare a new computer for the file transfer:

Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click

Accessories→ System Tools→

When the click

On the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

from the Windows XP CD

When the source computer. Do

Now go to your old computer

not

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

screen, click

→ Next

screen appears, go to your old or

click

at this time.

Start→

All Programs→

welcome screen appears,

New Computer→

I will use the wizard

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the Windows XP

On the

additional tasks

Under

On the

On the transfer and click

Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP

What do you want to do?

Which computer is this?

Select a transfer method

, click

screen, click

screen, click the transfer method you prefer.

What do you want to transfer?

After the information has been copied, the

Phase

screen appears.

screen, select the items you want to

Operating System

screen, click

media.

Perform

Transfer files and settings→ Next

Old Computer→ Next

Completing the Collection

Click

Finish

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 55

To transfer data to the new computer:

On the

On the chose for transferring your settings and files and click

Now go to your old computer

Where are the files and settings?

screen on the new computer, click

screen, select the method you

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the

Finished

screen

appears.

Click

Finished

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media

and restart the new computer.

To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System media, you must create a wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup image file to removable media.

To create a wizard disk, use your new computer with Windows XP and perform the following steps:

Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click

Accessories→ System Tools→

When the click

On the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

Wizard Disk in the following drive

Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click OK.

When the disk creation completes and the

computer

Go to the old computer.

message appears,

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

screen, click

→

Next.

do not

click

Start→

All Programs→

welcome screen appears,

New Computer→

I want to create a

Now go to your old

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.

Click

Start→

Run

56 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

In the

Open

field on the

(on the appropriate removable media) and click

On the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Select a transfer method

Run

window, browse to the path for

welcome screen, click

screen, click

Old Computer→

screen, click the transfer method you

fastwiz

prefer.

On the transfer and click

After the information has been copied, the

Phase

Click

What do you want to transfer?

screen appears.

Finish

screen, select the items you want to

Completing the Collection

To transfer data to the new computer:

On the click

On the chose for transferring your settings and files and click

Now go to your old computer

Where are the files and settings?

screen on the new computer,

screen, select the method you

. Follow the

instructions on the screen.

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the

Finished

appears.

Click

Finished

NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for

document #154781 (What Are The Different Methods To Transfer Files From My Old

Computer To My New Dell™ Computer Using the Microsoft Operating System?).

NOTE: Access to the Dell™ Knowledge Base document may not be available in

certain countries.

and restart the new computer.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 57

Windows® XP

screen

Windows Vista

The Windows Vista® operating system provides the Windows Easy Transfer wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer. You can transfer data, such as:

• User account

• Files and folders

• Program settings

• Internet settings and favorites

• E-mail settings, contacts, and messages

You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.

There are two ways to access the Easy Transfer wizard:

When Vista setup is completed, you will see the Vista Welcome Center. One icon in the Welcome Center is icon to start Windows easy Transfer.

If the Welcome Center dialog box has been closed, you can access Easy Transfer by clicking

To ol s

Double-click the

→

Easy Transfer.

Transfer Files and Settings

Start → All Programs → Accessories →

Easy Transfer

icon to begin the process.

. Click this

System

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

NOTICE: Plug the network cable into the network adapter connector on the

computer. Do not plug the network cable into the modem connector on the computer. Do not plug a network cable into a telephone wall jack.

Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer.

Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure.

Connect the other end of the network cable to a network device.

58 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

1 network adapter connector 2 network device

3 network adapter connector on computer 4 network cable

Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System

Click

Start→

Setup Wizard

NOTE: Selecting the connection method labeled This computer connects

directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Complete the checklist.

Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions in the

All Programs→ Accessories→ Communications→

→

Next→ Checklist for creating a network

wizard.

Setting Up a Network in the Windows Vista® Operating System

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and then click

Set up a connection or network

Select an option under

Click

, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.

Choose a connection option

Connect To→

Network

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 59

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). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options:

• DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line or cellular telephone service. 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.

• Satellite modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through a satellite television system.

• Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable (or satellite) modem connections.

• Wireless LAN connections that provide Internet access using Bluetooth wireless technology.

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/satellite modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut:

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

Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop.

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 following section that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using.

60 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem,

and Internet Problems" on page 66. 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.

Windows XP

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

Click

Start→

The

New Connection Wizard

Click

Connect to the Internet

In the next window, click the appropriate option:

• If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click

list of Internet service providers (ISPs)

Internet Explorer

appears.

Choose from a

• 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

Set up my connection manually

Use the CD I got from an ISP

Set up my connection manually

, continue to step 6.

Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

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

your ISP.

Click the appropriate option under

Internet?

Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

, and then click

How do you want to connect to the

Windows Vista

NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to

the Internet wizard can help you get one.

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

Click Start , and click

Under

The

Control Panel

Network and Internet,

Connect to the Internet

click

Connect to the Internet

window appears.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 61

Click either

Broadband (PPPoE)

Dial-up

, depending on how you want

to connect:

• Choose

Broadband

if you will use a DSL, satellite modem, cable TV

modem, or Bluetooth wireless technology connection.

• Chose

NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me

Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information

Dial-up

choose or contact your ISP.

if you will use a dial-up modem or ISDN.

provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

62 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Solving Problems

CAUTION: Some of the parts described in this chapter may be replaceable by a

certified service technician only and are not custom replaceable.

Troubleshooting Tips

Follow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer:

• If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed.

• If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.

• If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. This message may help technical support personnel diagnose and fix the problem.

• If an error message occurs in a program, see the program’s documentation.

Battery Problems

CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly

installed. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

REPLACE THE BATTERY — If you have to repeatedly reset time and date

information after turning on the computer, or if an incorrect time or date displays during start-up, replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 160). If the battery still does not work properly, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 202).

Solving Problems 63

Drive Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

ENSURE THAT MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE —

Windows XP:

• Click

Windows Vista®:

• Click the Windows Vista Start button and click

If the drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.

ENSURE THAT THE DRIVE IS ENABLED IN THE SYSTEM SETUP PROGRAM — See "System Setup" on page 187)

TEST THE DRIVE —

• Insert another floppy disk, CD, or DVD to eliminate the possibility that the

• Insert bootable media and restart the computer.

Start

and click

original one is defective.

My Computer

Computer

CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK — See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 198.

CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Troubleshooting Software and

Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows Operating System" on page 97.

RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS — See "Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive" on page 90.

XP and Windows Vista®

64 Solving Problems

CD and DVD drive problems

NOTE: High-speed CD or DVD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise,

which does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD or DVD.

NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all

DVD titles work in all DVD drives.

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL —

• Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.

• Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up.

• Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked.

CHECK THE SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFER — See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on page 81.

Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive

CLOSE OTHER PROGRAMS — The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Try closing all programs before you write to the CD/DVD-RW.

TURN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD/DVD-RW

DISC —

Click

Start

Under

System and Maintenance

Under

Preferred Plans

Click the dropdown menu for

and click

, click

Control Panel

and click

Power Options

Change Plan Settings

Turn Off the Display

. for the selected plan. and select

Never

Solving Problems 65

Hard drive problems

RUN CHECK DISK —

Windows XP:

Click

Start and click My Computer

Right-click

Click

Windows Vista:

Click

Right-click

Click

The computer, click desired action.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Local Disk C: Properties→ Tools→ Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors and click Start

Start

and click

Local Disk C: Properties→ Tools→

User Account Control

Continue

Computer

window may appear. If you are an administrator on the

; otherwise, contact your administrator to continue the

Check Now

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only. The modem does not

operate while it is connected to a digital telephone network.

CHECK THE WINDOWS MAIL EXPRESS SECURITY SETTINGS — If you cannot open your e-mail attachments:

In Windows Mail, click

Click

Do not allow attachments

Tools

, click

Options

to remove the checkmark.

, and then click

Security

66 Solving Problems

CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION —

HECK THE TELEPHONE JACK —

ONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK —

SE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE —

• Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem. (The jack has either a green label or a connector-shaped icon next to it.)

• Ensure that you feel a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem.

• Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone.

• If you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine, fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and use the telephone to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack. If you are using a line that is 3 m (10 ft) or more in length, try a shorter one.

RUN THE MODEM HELPER DIAGNOSTICS — Click Start , point to All Programs, and then click Modem Helper. Follow the instructions on the screen to

identify and resolve modem problems. (Modem Helper is not available on all computers.)

VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS —

Click

Start

Click

Hardware and Sound

Click

Phone and Modem Options

Click the COM port for your modem.

Click

Properties

and click

, click the

Control Panel

and click the

Diagnostics

Modems

tab, and then click

tab.

Query Modem

to verify

that the modem is communicating with Windows. If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.

ENSURE THAT YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET — Ensure that you have subscribed to an Internet provider. With the Windows Mail e-mail program open, click File. If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it, click the checkmark to remove it and connect to the Internet. For help, contact your Internet service provider.

Solving Problems 67

Error Messages

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.

A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS: \ / : * ? “ < > | — Do not use these characters in filenames.

A REQUIRED .DLL FILE WAS NOT FOUND — The program that you are trying to

open is missing an essential file. To remove and then reinstall the program:

Windows XP:

Click

Start→

Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs→ Programs and

Fea ture s

Select the program you want to remove.

Click

See the program documentation for installation instructions.

Windows Vista:

Click

Select the program you want to remove.

Click

See the program documentation for installation instructions.

Uninstall

Start

→

Uninstall

Control Panel→ Programs→Programs and Features

drive letter :\ IS NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE DEVICE IS NOT READY — The drive cannot read the disk. Insert a disk into the drive and try again.

INSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA — Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD.

NON-SYSTEM DISK ERROR — Remove the floppy disk from the drive and restart

your computer.

68 Solving Problems

NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. CLOSE SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY

AGAIN — Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. In some

cases, you might have to restart your computer to restore computer resources. If so, run the program that you want to use first.

OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND — Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 202).

Keyboard Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

CHECK THE KEYBOARD CABLE —

• Ensure that the keyboard cable is firmly connected to the computer.

• Shut down the computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 106), reconnect the keyboard cable as shown on the setup diagram for your computer, and then restart the computer.

• Check the cable connector for bent or broken pins and for damaged or frayed cables. Straighten bent pins.

• Remove keyboard extension cables and connect the keyboard directly to the computer.

TEST THE KEYBOARD — Connect a properly working keyboard to the computer, and try using the keyboard.

ENSURE THAT THE USB PORTS ARE ENABLED IN THE SYSTEM SETUP

PROGRAM — See "System Setup" on page 187.

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows Operating System" on page 97.

XP and Windows Vista®

Solving Problems 69

Lockups and Software Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

The computer does not start up

Ensure that the power cable is firmly connected to the computer and to the electrical outlet.

The computer stops responding

NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system

shutdown.

TURN THE COMPUTER OFF — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. Then restart your computer.

A program stops responding

END THE PROGRAM —

Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously.

Click

Applications

Click the program that is no longer responding.

Click

End Task

A program crashes repeatedly

NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or

on a floppy disk or CD.

CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION — If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

70 Solving Problems

A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system

RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD —

Windows XP:

The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-XP operating system environments.

Click

Start→

All Programs→ Accessories→ Program Compatibility Wizard

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Windows Vista:

The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-Windows Vista operating system environments.

Click

Start

→

version of Windows.

In the welcome screen, click

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Control Panel→ Programs→ Use an older program with this

→

A solid blue screen appears

Solving Problems 71

Media Card Reader Problems

NO DRIVE LETTER IS ASSIGNED —

When Windows Vista detects the Media Card Reader, the device is automatically assigned a drive letter as the next logical drive after all other physical drives in the system. If the next logical drive after the physical drives is mapped to a network drive, Windows Vista does not automatically assign a drive letter to the Media Card Reader.

To manually assign a drive for the Media Card Reader:

Click

Start

Click

Continue

Expand the Storage object and select Disk Management.

Right-click the corresponding drive letter in the right pane that needs to be changed.

Select

Change Drive Letter and Paths

Click

Change

From the drop-down list, select the new drive letter assignment for the Media Card Reader.

Click OK to confirm your selection.

NOTE: The Media Card Reader only appears as a mapped drive when it is connected.

Each of the four Media Card Reader slots are mapped to a drive even if no media is installed. If you attempt to access the Media Card Reader when no media is inserted, you are prompted to insert media.

, right-click

if prompted.

Computer

and select

Manage

FLEXBAY DEVICE IS DISABLED —

There is a FlexBay disable option in the BIOS setup that appears only when the FlexBay device is installed. If the FlexBay device is physically installed, but it is not running, check to see if it is enabled in the BIOS setup.

Solving Problems 73

Memory Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

IF YOU RECEIVE AN INSUFFICIENT MEMORY MESSAGE —

• Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem.

• See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements. If necessary, install additional memory (see "Memory Installation Guidelines" on page 124).

• Reseat the memory modules (see "Installing Memory" on page 126) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.

• Run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 90).

IF YOU EXPERIENCE OTHER MEMORY PROBLEMS —

• Reseat the memory modules (see "Installing Memory" on page 126) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.

• Ensure that you are following the memory installation guidelines (see "Memory Installation Guidelines" on page 124).

• Your computer supports DDR2 memory. For more information about the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Memory" on page 179.

• Run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 90).

74 Solving Problems

Mouse Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

CLEAN THE MOUSE — See "Mouse" on page 198 for instructions on cleaning the

mouse.

CHECK THE MOUSE CABLE —

Remove mouse extension cables, if used, and connect the mouse directly to the computer.

Reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the setup diagram for your computer.

RESTART THE COMPUTER —

Simultaneously press <Ctrl><Esc> to display the

Ty p e u, press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight then press <Enter>.

After the computer turns off, reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the on the setup diagram for your computer.

Start the computer.

ENSURE THAT THE USB PORTS ARE ENABLED IN THE SYSTEM SETUP

PROGRAM — See "System Setup" on page 187.

Start

menu.

Shut down

Turn Of f

, and

TEST THE MOUSE — Connect a properly working mouse to the computer, and try using the mouse.

CHECK THE MOUSE SETTINGS —

Windows XP

Click

Start→ Control Panel→

Adjust the settings as needed.

Mouse

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

→ Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Mouse

Adjust the settings as needed.

Solving Problems 75

REINSTALL THE MOUSE DRIVER — See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 95.

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows Operating System" on page 97.

XP and Windows Vista®

Network Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

CHECK THE NETWORK CABLE CONNECTOR — Ensure that the network cable is

firmly inserted into both the network connector on the back of the computer and the network port or device.

CHECK THE NETWORK LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF THE COMPUTER — If the link integrity light is off, that indicates no network communication exists. Replace the network cable. For a description of network lights, see "Controls and Lights" on page 185.

RESTART THE COMPUTER AND LOG ON TO THE NETWORK AGAIN

CHECK YOUR NETWORK SETTINGS — Contact your network administrator or the

person who set up your network to verify that your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning.

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows Operating System" on page 97.

XP and Windows Vista®

76 Solving Problems

Power Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS OFF — The computer is either turned off or is not

receiving power.

• Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet.

• If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.

• Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS STEADY BLUE AND THE COMPUTER IS NOT

RESPONDING — See "Beep Codes" on page 86.

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLINKING BLUE — The computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation.

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS STEADY AMBER — Power problem or internal device malfunction.

• Ensure that the 12-volt power connector (12V) is securely connected to the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 110).

• Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely connected to the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 110).

Solving Problems 77

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLINKING AMBER — The computer is receiving electrical power, a device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.

• Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see "Installing Memory" on page 126).

• Remove and then reinstall any cards (see "Cards" on page 129).

• Remove and then reinstall the graphics card, if applicable (see "Removing a PCI/PCI Express Card" on page 134).

ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE — Some possible causes of interference are:

• Power, keyboard, and mouse extension cables.

• Too many devices on a power strip.

• Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet.

Printer Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer’s

manufacturer.

CHECK THE PRINTER DOCUMENTATION — See the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information.

ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON

CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS —

• See the printer documentation for cable connection information.

• Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer (see "Setting Up a Printer" on page 29).

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

78 Solving Problems

VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS —

Windows XP:

Click

Start→ Control Panel→

printers or fax printers

If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.

Click

Properties→

following port(s):

Print to the following port(s):

the

Ports

setting is

Printers and Other Hardware→ View installed

. For a parallel printer, ensure that the

LPT1 (Printer Port)

setting is

. For a USB printer, ensure that

USB

Print to the

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

→ Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Printer

If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.

Click

Properties

Adjust the settings, as needed.

and click

Ports

REINSTALL THE PRINTER DRIVER — See the printer documentation for instructions.

Solving Problems 79

Scanner Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your scanner, contact the scanner’s

manufacturer.

CHECK THE SCANNER DOCUMENTATION — See the scanner documentation for setup and troubleshooting information.

UNLOCK THE SCANNER — Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a locking tab or button.

RESTART THE COMPUTER AND TRY THE SCANNER AGAIN

CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS —

• See the scanner documentation for cable connection information.

• Ensure that the scanner cables are securely connected to the scanner and the computer.

VERIFY THAT THE SCANNER IS RECOGNIZED BY MICROSOFT WINDOWS —

Windows XP:

Click

Start→

Control Panel→

Cameras

If your scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner.

Windows Vista:

Click

Cameras

If the scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner.

Start

→ Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Scanners and

Printers and Other Hardware→

Scanners and

REINSTALL THE SCANNER DRIVER — See the scanner documentation for instructions.

80 Solving Problems

Sound and Speaker Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

No sound from speakers

NOTE: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume

setting. If you have been listening to MP3 songs, ensure that you did not turn the player volume down or off.

CHECK THE SPEAKER CABLE CONNECTIONS — Ensure that the speakers are connected as shown on the setup diagram supplied with the speakers. If you purchased a sound card, ensure that the speakers are connected to the card.

ENSURE THAT THE CORRECT AUDIO SOLUTION IS ENABLED IN THE BIOS SETUP

PROGRAM — See "System Setup" on page 187.

ENSURE THAT THE SUBWOOFER AND THE SPEAKERS ARE TURNED ON — See the setup diagram supplied with the speakers. If your speakers have volume controls, adjust the volume, bass, or treble to eliminate distortion.

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

DISCONNECT HEADPHONES FROM THE HEADPHONE CONNECTOR — Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the computer’s front-panel headphone connector.

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.

Solving Problems 81

REINSTALL THE SOUND DRIVER — See "Manually Reinstalling Drivers" on page 97.

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft Windows Operating System" on page 97.

XP and Windows Vista®

No sound from headphones

CHECK THE HEADPHONE CABLE CONNECTION — Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted into the headphone connector (see "Front View of the Computer" on page 15).

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

ENSURE THAT THE CORRECT AUDIO SOLUTION IS ENABLED IN THE BIOS SETUP

PROGRAM — See "System Setup" on page 187.

Video and Monitor Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: See the monitor documentation for troubleshooting procedures.

82 Solving Problems

If the screen is blank

CHECK THE MONITOR CABLE CONNECTION —

• Ensure that the graphics cable is connected as shown on the setup diagram for your computer.

If an optional video card is installed, check that the monitor cable is connected to the card, rather than the video connector on the system board.

• If you are using a graphics extension cable and removing the cable solves the problem, the cable is defective.

• Swap the computer and monitor power cables to determine whether the power cable is defective.

• Check the connector for bent or broken pins. (It is normal for monitor cable connectors to have missing pins.)

CHECK THE MONITOR POWER LIGHT — If the power light is off, firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on. If the power light is lit or blinking, the monitor has power. If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

CHECK THE DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS — See "Beep Codes" on page 86.

Solving Problems 83

If the screen is difficult to read

CHECK THE MONITOR SETTINGS — See the monitor documentation for instructions on adjusting the contrast and brightness, demagnetizing (degaussing) the monitor, and running the monitor self-test.

MOVE THE SUBWOOFER AWAY FROM THE MONITOR — If your speaker system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the monitor.

MOVE THE MONITOR AWAY FROM EXTERNAL POWER SOURCES — Fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, and other electrical devices can cause the screen image to appear "shaky." Turn off nearby devices to check for interference.

ROTATE THE MONITOR TO ELIMINATE SUNLIGHT GLARE AND POSSIBLE

INTERFERENCE

ADJUST THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SETTINGS —

Windows XP:

Click

Start→

Control Panel→

Click the area you want to change or click the

Try different settings for

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

Display Settings

Adjust

Resolution

→ Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Personalization→

and

Appearance and Themes

Color quality

and

Colors settings,

Display

Screen resolution

as needed.

icon.

84 Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Tools

Power Lights

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

The power button light (bi-color LED) located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:

• If the power light is off, the computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.

– Reseat the power cable in the power connector on the back of the

computer and the electrical outlet.

– If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power

strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also, bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.

– Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another

device, such as a lamp.

• If the power light is steady blue and the computer is not responding:

– Ensure that the display is connected and powered on.

– If the display is connected and powered on, see "Beep Codes" on

page 86.

• If the power light is blinking blue, the computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation. If the power light is blue and the computer is not responding:

– Ensure the display is connected and powered on.

– If the display is connected and powered on, see "Beep Codes" on

page 86.

Troubleshooting Tools 85

• If the power light is blinking amber, the computer is receiving electrical power, a device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.

– Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on

page 123).

– Remove and then reinstall any cards (see "Cards" on page 129).

– Remove and then reinstall the graphics card, if applicable (see "Cards"

on page 129).

• If the power light is steady amber, there may be a power problem or an internal device malfunction.

– Ensure that all power cables are securely connected to the system

board (see "System Board Components" on page 110).

– Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely

connected to the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 110).

Beep Codes

Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. One possible beep code consists of repetitive three short beeps. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a possible motherboard failure.

If your computer beeps during start-up:

Write down the beep code.

Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 90).

86 Troubleshooting Tools

Code

Description Suggested Remedy (repetitive short beeps)

1 BIOS checksum

failure. Possible

motherboard failure.

2 No memory modules

are detected

3 Possible

motherboard failure

4 RAM Read/Write

failure

5 Real time clock

failure. Possible

battery failure or

motherboard failure.

6 Video BIOS Test

Failure

7 CPU cache test

failure

Contact Dell.

If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module (see "Installing Memory" on page 126), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.

If available, install good memory of the same type into your computer (see "Installing Memory" on page 126).

If the problem persists, contact Dell.

Contact Dell.

Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist (see "Memory Installation Guidelines" on page 124).

Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer (see "Memory Installation Guidelines" on page 124).

If the problem persists, contact Dell.

Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 160).

If the problem persists, contact Dell.

Contact Dell.

Troubleshooting Tools 87

System Messages

NOTE: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation

for either the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.

ALERT! PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT BOOTING THIS SYSTEM HAVE FAILED AT

CHECKPOINT [NNNN]. FOR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE NOTE THIS CHECKPOINT AND CONTACT DELL TECHNICAL SUPPORT — The computer

failed to complete the boot routine three consecutive times for the same error (see "Contacting Dell" on page 202 for assistance).

CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR — Possible motherboard failure or RTC battery low. Replace battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 160 or see "Contacting Dell" on page 202 for assistance.

CPU FAN FAILURE — CPU fan failure. Replace CPU fan. See "Removing the Processor Fan/Heat Sink Assembly" on page 166.

DISKETTE DRIVE 0 SEEK FAILURE — A cable may be loose, or the computer configuration information may not match the hardware configuration. Check cable connections or see "Contacting Dell" on page 202 for assistance.

DISKETTE READ FAILURE — The floppy disk may be defective or a cable may be loose. Replace floppy disk/check for loose cable connection.

HARD-DISK DRIVE FAILURE — Possible hard disk drive failure during HDD POST. Check cables /swap hard disks or see "Contacting Dell" on page 202 for assistance.

HARD-DISK DRIVE READ FAILURE — Possible HDD failure during HDD boot test (see "Contacting Dell" on page 202 for assistance).

KEYBOARD FAILURE — Keyboard failure or keyboard cable loose (see "Keyboard Problems" on page 69).

88 Troubleshooting Tools

NO BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE — No bootable partition on HDD or Not a bootable floppy in floppy driver, or HDD/Floppy cable loose, or No bootable device exists.

• If the floppy drive is your boot device, ensure that a bootable floppy disk is in the drive.

• If the hard drive is your boot device, ensure that the cables are connected and that the drive is installed properly and partitioned as a boot device.

• Enter system setup and ensure that the boot sequence information is correct (see "Entering System Setup" on page 188).

NO TIMER TICK INTERRUPT — A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning or motherboard failure (see "Contacting Dell" on page 202 for assistance).

NON-SYSTEM DISK OR DISK ERROR —Replace the floppy disk with one that has a bootable operating system or remove the floppy disk from drive A and restart the computer.

NOT A BOOT DISKETTE —Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart your computer.

USB OVER CURRENT ERROR — Disconnect the USB device. Use external power source for the USB device.

NOTICE - HARD DRIVE SELF MONITORING SYSTEM HAS REPORTED THAT

A PARAMETER HAS EXCEEDED ITS NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. DELL RECOMMENDS THAT YOU BACK UP YOUR DATA REGULARLY. A PARAMETER OUT OF RANGE MAY OR MAY NOT INDICATE A POTENTIAL HARD DRIVE PROBLEM.—

S.M.A.R.T error, possible HDD failure. This feature can be enabled or disabled in BIOS setup.

Troubleshooting Tools 89

Dell Diagnostics

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in Lockups and Software Problems (see "Lockups and Software Problems" on page 70) and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media is optional and may not ship with your

computer.

See "System Setup" on page 187 to review your computer’s configuration information, and ensure that the device that you want to test displays in the system setup program and is active.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.

NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, see

page 202.

Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly.

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

90 Troubleshooting Tools

"Contacting Dell

" on

When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select

to Utility Partition

from the boot menu and press <Enter>.

Boot

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue

to wait until you see the Microsoft computer and try again.

NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has

been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities media.

Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility

Windows® desktop; then, shut down your

partition on your hard drive.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media

Insert the

Shut down and restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

When the boot device list appears, highlight <Enter>.

Select the press <Enter>.

Ty p e 1 to start the CD menu and press <Enter> to proceed.

Select multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your computer.

When the Dell Diagnostics to run.

Drivers and Utilities

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue

to wait until you see the Microsoft computer and try again.

NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the

next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.

Boot from CD-ROM

Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics

media.

Windows® desktop; then, shut down your

CD/DVD/CD-RW

option from the menu that appears and

from the numbered list. If

Main Menu

appears, select the test you want

and press

Troubleshooting Tools 91

Dell Diagnostics Main Menu

After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the the button for the option you want.

NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on

your computer.

Option Function

Test Memory Test System Exit

After you have selected the

Run the stand-alone memory test

Run System Diagnostics

Exit the Diagnostics

Test System

following menu appears:

NOTE: It is recommended that you select Extended Test from the menu below

to run a more thorough check of devices in the computer.

Option Function

Express Test

Extended Test

Custom Test

Symptom Tree

Performs a quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10 to 20 minutes.

Performs a thorough check of devices in the system. This typically can take an hour or more.

Use to test a specific device or customize the tests to be run.

This option allows you to select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having. This option lists the most common symptoms.

Main Menu

screen appears, click

option from the main menu, the

If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a description of the problem. Write down the error code and problem description and see "Contacting Dell" on page 202.

NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test

screen. If you contact Dell, technical support will ask for your Service Tag.

92 Troubleshooting Tools

If you run a test from the

Custom Test or Symptom Tree

option, click the

applicable tab described in the following table for more information.

Tab Function

Results

Errors

Help

Configuration

Parameters

When the tests are complete, close the test screen to return to the

screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close

the

Main Menu

Remove the

screen.

Drivers and Utilities

Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.

Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description.

Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test.

Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.

The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.

Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.

media (if applicable).

Main

Troubleshooting Tools 93

Drivers

What is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.

A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.

NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities media may contain drivers for operating systems

that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft Windows operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:

• Upgrade your operating system.

• Reinstall your operating system.

• Connect or install a new device.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.

Click the

Click

Start ,

Properties→ Device Manager

and right-click

Computer

NOTE: The User Account Control (located to the left under Ta sk s window)

may appear. If you are an administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to continue.

Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon.

If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

94 Troubleshooting Tools

" on page 95

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and

Utilities media provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers

obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

Using Windows Device Driver Rollback

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.

Windows XP:

Click

Start→

Manager

Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click

Properties

Click the

Windows Vista:

Click

Start ,

Click

Properties→ Device Manager

NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an

administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager.

Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click

Properties

Click the

If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore ("Restoring Your Operating System" on page 98) to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver.

My Computer→ Properties→ Hardware→

Drivers

tab→

Roll Back Driver

and right-click

Computer

Drivers

tab→ Roll Back Driver

Device

Troubleshooting Tools 95

Using the Drivers and Utilities media

If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore ("Restoring Your Operating System" on page 98) does not resolve the problem, then reinstall the driver from the Drivers and Utilities media.

With the Windows desktop displayed, insert the

If this is your first time to use the

Drivers and Utilities

media, go to step 2.

media.

If not, go to step 5.

When the

Drivers and Utilities

media installation program starts, follow

the prompts on the screen.

When the

Drivers and Utilities

When you see the Windows desktop, reinsert the

At the

A message appears, stating that the

InstallShield Wizard Complete

media and click

Welcome Dell System Owner

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media displays drivers only for hardware that

came installed in your computer. If you installed additional hardware, the drivers for the new hardware might not be displayed by the Drivers and Utilities media. If those drivers are not displayed, exit the Drivers and Utilities media program. For drivers information, see the documentation that came with the device.

Drivers and Utilities

window appears, remove the

Finish

to restart the computer.

Drivers and Utilities

screen, click

media is detecting

media.

hardware in your computer.

The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in the

My Drivers—The Drivers and Utilities media has identified these

components in your system

Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the instructions on

window.

the screen.

If a particular driver is not listed, that driver is not required by your operating system.

96 Troubleshooting Tools

Manually Reinstalling Drivers

After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described in the previous section, do the following:

Click

Start ,

Click

Properties→ Device Manager

NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an

administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager.

Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for example,

Double-click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver.

Click the

software

Click the driver files.

When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click the name of the driver

Click

Browse

→ OK→

Finish

and right-click

Audio

Video

Driver

tab→

Update Driver→ Browse my computer for driver

and browse to the location to which you previously copied

and restart your computer.

Computer

Troubleshooting Software and Hardware

Problems in the Microsoft Windows

Windows Vista

Operating System

XP and

If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.

To start the Hardware Troubleshooter:

Windows XP:

Click

Start→

Ty p e

hardware troubleshooter

<Enter> to start the search.

In the

In the the problem and click

Help and Support

Fix a Problem

Hardware Troubleshooter

section, click

to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.

in the search field and press

Hardware Troubleshooter

list, select the option that best describes

Troubleshooting Tools 97

Windows Vista:

Click the Windows Vista Start button ,

Ty p e

hardware troubleshooter

<Enter> to start the search.

In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.

and click

in the search field and press

Help and Support.

Restoring Your Operating System

You can restore your operating system in the following ways:

• Microsoft Windows XP System Restore and Windows Vista System Restore return your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring your operating system and preserving data files.

• Dell PC Restore by Symantec restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Dell PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications installed after you received the computer. Use PC Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

•

If you received

to restore your operating system. Use the CD not resolve your operating system problem.

Operating System

CD with your computer, you can use it

only

if System Restore did

Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore

The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files)if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. Any changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible.

NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not

monitor your data files or recover them.

NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view,

so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view.

98 Troubleshooting Tools

Starting System Restore

Windows XP:

NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and

close any open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

Click

Restore

Click either

restore point

Click

Start→

All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→

Restore my computer to an earlier time

and follow the remaining on-screen prompts.

Create a

System

Windows Vista:

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click

In the search box, type

NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an

administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to continue the desired action.

Click

and follow the remaining prompts on the screen.

System Restore

and press <Enter>.

Help and Support

In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue, you may undo the last system restore.

Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and

exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

Windows XP:

Click

Start→

Restore

Click

Undo my last restoration

All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→

and click

System

Windows Vista:

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click

In the search box, type

Click

Undo my last restoration

System Restore

and click

and press <Enter>.

Troubleshooting Tools 99

Help and Support

Enabling System Restore

NOTE: Windows Vista does not disable System Restore; regardless of low disk

space. Therefore, the steps below apply only to Windows XP.

If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is automatically disabled.

To see if System Restore is enabled:

Click

Start→

Control Pane l→ Performance and Maintenance→ System

Click the System Restore tab and ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.

Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore

NOTICE: Using Dell PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes

all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using these options. Use PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

NOTE: Dell PC Restore by Symantec and Dell Factory Image Restore may not be

available in certain countries or on certain computers.

Use Dell PC Restore (Windows XP) or Dell Factory Image Restore (Windows Vista) only as the last method to restore your operating system. These options restore your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Any programs or files added since you received your computer— including data files—are permanently deleted from the hard drive. Data files include documents, spreadsheets, e-mail messages, digital photos, music files, and so on. If possible, back up all data before using PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore.

Windows XP: Dell PC Restore

Turn on the computer.

During the boot process, a blue bar with of the screen.

Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl><F11>.

If you do not press <Ctrl><F11> in time, let the computer finish starting, and then restart the computer again.

100 Troubleshooting Tools

www.dell.com

appears at the top

Dell Inspiron 530 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Finding Information

Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Front View of the Computer

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

Inspiron 530b/530d

Back View of the Computer

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

Inspiron 530b/530d

Back Panel Connectors

Inspiron 530/530a/530c

Inspiron 530b/530d

Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure

Setting Up a Printer

Printer Cable

Connecting a USB Printer

Playing CDs and DVDs

Adjusting the Volume

Configuring the Audio Connectors for 5.1-Channel

Adjusting the Picture

Copying CDs and DVDs

How to Copy a CD or DVD

Using Blank CDs and DVDs

Helpful Tips

Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)

Connecting Two Monitors

Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors

Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector

Connecting a TV

Changing the Display Settings

Power Management

Power Management Options in Microsoft® Windows® XP

Standby Mode

Hibernate Mode

Power Options Properties

Power Schemes Tab

Advanced Tab

Hibernate Tab

Standby Mode

Hibernate Mode

Power Plan Properties

Advanced Tab

Enabling SpeedStep™ Technology

About RAID Configurations

RAID Level 1 Configuration

Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® Option ROM Utility

Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration

Deleting a RAID Volume

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager

Creating a RAID 1 Volume

Deleting a RAID Volume

Migrating to a RAID 1 Volume

Creating a Spare Hard Drive

Rebuilding a Degraded RAID 1 Volume

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Microsoft® Windows® XP

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System

Setting Up a Network in the Windows Vista® Operating System

Connecting to the Internet

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

Windows XP

Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Tips

Battery Problems

Drive Problems

CD and DVD drive problems

Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive

Hard drive problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages