Dell Inspiron 531s User Manual

Dell™ Inspiron™ 531s Owner’s Manual

Model DCSLA

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 189.

__________________

Reproduction 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, Inspiron, Dell TravelLite, and Strike Zone, are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark o wned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and Windows Vista start button are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Intel and Intel SpeedStep are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; AMD,

AMD Athlon, AMD Sempron, and Cool ’n’ Quiet are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc; Nvidia is a registered trademark of Nvidia Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model DCSLA

April 2008 Rev. A00

Contents

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

1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . . . 15

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

Back View of the Computer

Back Panel Connectors

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

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

Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure

Setting Up a Printer

Printer Cable

Connecting a USB Printer

Playing CDs and DVDs

Adjusting the Volume

Adjusting the Picture

Copying CDs and DVDs

How to Copy a CD or DVD

Using Blank CDs and DVDs

Helpful Tips

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

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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

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

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

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

. . . . . . . 21

Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)

. . . . . . . . . 31

Contents 3

Connecting Two Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors

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

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

. . . . . . 34

Connecting a TV

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

Changing the Display Settings

Power Management

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

Power Management Options in

Microsoft

Power Options Properties

Power Schemes Tab

Advanced Tab

Hibernate Tab

Windows® XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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

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

Power Management Options in Windows Vista

Standby Mode

Hibernate Mode

Power Plan Properties

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

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

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

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

Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet Technology

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

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

4 Contents

About RAID Configurations (For Windows Vista

RAID Level 1 Configuration

only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

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

Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility

Using Nvidia MediaShield

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

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Windows Vista

: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . 44

. . . . . 45

. . . . . . 47

Setting Up a Home and Office Network . . . . . . . . 49

Connecting to a Network Adapter

Network Setup Wizard

Connecting to the Internet

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

. . . . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . . 51

2 Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Battery Problems

Drive Problems

CD and DVD drive problems

Hard drive problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

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

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

. . . . . . . . 58

Error Messages

Keyboard Problems

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

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

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 . . . . . 64

A solid blue screen appears

Other software problems

Media Card Reader Problems

Memory Problems

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . 63

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

. . . . . . . . . . 63

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

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

Contents 5

Mouse Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Network Problems

Power Problems

Printer Problems

Scanner Problems

Sound and Speaker Problems

No sound from speakers

No sound from headphones

Video and Monitor Problems

If the screen is blank

If the screen is difficult to read

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

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

3 Troubleshooting Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Power Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Beep Codes

System Messages

Dell Diagnostics

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . 84

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

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

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media

Dell Diagnostics Main Menu

Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

What Is a Driver?

Identifying Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . 88

6 Contents

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Restoring Your Operating System

Using Microsoft Windows System Restore

Using Dell PC Restore

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

Using the Operating System CD

. . . . . . . . . . . . 92

. . . . 93

. . . . . . . . . . 98

4 Removing and Installing Parts . . . . . . . 101

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Recommended Tools

Turning Off Your Computer

Before Working Inside Your Computer

Removing the Computer Cover

Removing the Support Bracket

Inside View of Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

. . . . . . . 102

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

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

System Board Components

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

Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments

Memory

Cards

Bezel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Memory Installation Guidelines

Installing Memory

Removing Memory

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

PCI and PCI Express Cards

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Removing the Bezel

Replacing the Bezel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

. . . . . . . . . . 112

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

. . . . . 109

Contents 7

Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Recommended Drive Cable Connections

Connecting Drive Cables

Drive Interface Connectors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

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

Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables

Hard Drives

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

Installing a Second Hard Drive (Optional)

Floppy Drive

Media Card Reader

CD or DVD Drive

Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Replacing the Battery

Power Supply

Replacing the Power Supply

Processor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

. . . . . . . . . . . . 146

. . . . . 125

. . . 126

. . . . . 129

Removing the Processor

Installing the Processor

I/O Panel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Removing the I/O Panel

Installing the I/O Panel

Processor Fan

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Removing the Processor Fan

Installing the Processor Fan

Chassis Fan

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Removing the Chassis Fan

Replacing the Chassis Fan

System Board

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Removing the System Board

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

. . . . . . . . . . . . 155

. . . . . . . . . . . . 158

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

. . . . . . . . . . . . 162

8 Contents

Installing the System Board

. . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Replacing the Support Bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Replacing the Computer Cover

Specifications

System Setup

Overview

Entering System Setup

System Setup Options

Boot Sequence

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Clearing CMOS Settings

Flashing the BIOS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Cleaning Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor

Mouse

Floppy Drive

CDs and DVDs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

. . . . . . . . . 179

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)

Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals

FCC Notice (U.S. Only)

FCC Class B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

. . . . . . . 180

Contents 9

Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Obtaining Assistance

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Technical Support and Customer Service

DellConnect

Online Services

AutoTech Service

Automated Order-Status Service

Problems With Your Order

Product Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

. . . . . . . . . 185

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Before You Call

Contacting Dell

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

. . . . . 183

. . . . . 186

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Index

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

10 Contents

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

• How to set up my computer

Dell™ Product Information Guide

Setup Diagram

NOTE: See the setup diagram that came with

your system.

NOTE: The appearance of your setup diagram

may vary.

Finding Information 11

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

• Microsoft Windows License Label

Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License

These labels are located on your computer.

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

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

support.dell.com

NOTE: As an increased security measure, the

newly designed Microsoft Windows license label incorporates a missing portion or "hole" to discourage removal of the label.

12 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

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

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.

• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software updates

• 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

Downloads

and

Enter your Service Tag or Product Type and Product Model and click

Scroll to

Utilities

and click

Desktop

support.dell.com

System and Configuration

→

Dell Desktop System Software

Download Now

System Software:

and click

Drivers

NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface may

vary depending on your selection.

Finding Information 13

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• How to use Windows XP

• How to use Windows Vista

• How to work with programs and files

• How to personalize my desktop

Windows Help and Support Center

To access Windows Help and Support:

Start

• In Windows XP, click

and Support

• In Windows Vista

, click the Windows

Vista Start button™ and click

and Support

Type a word or phrase that describes your

and click

Help

problem and press <Enter>.

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

Help

14 Finding Information

Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Front View of the Computer

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 15

1 Service Tag

(located on top of the chassis towards the rear)

2 FlexBay open/close Press here to open or close the floppy/media card

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

4 CD or DVD drive panel This panel covers the CD or DVD drive.

5 FlexBay drive panel Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media

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

reader panel.

Card Reader. For information on using the Media Card Reader, see "Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)" on page 31.

6 power button,

power light

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 170 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.

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

occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup Options" on page 173 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.

8 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones

and most kinds of speakers.

9 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.

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.

16 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Back View of the Computer

5 4

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 17

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

appropriate connector (see "Back Panel Connectors" on page 19 for more information).

2 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI

Express cards.

3 power supply LED Indicates power availability for power supply.

NOTE: May or may not be available on your computer.

4 voltage selector switch For selecting voltage rating.

5 power connector Insert the power cable.

6 padlock rings Padlock rings are for attaching a commercially available

theft-deterrent device. The padlock rings allows 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.

18 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Back Panel Connectors

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.

3 link integrity light

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.

• Green — A good connection exists between the network and the computer.

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

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19

4 center/subwoofer

connector

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

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.

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)

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.

11 VGA video

connector

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.

20 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 manual reflect

the maximum ambient operating temperature. The ambient room 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 167.

• 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 percent 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 21

NOTICE:

airflow.

Do not install your computer in an enclosure that does not allow

Restricting the airflow impacts your computer’s performance,

possibly causing it to overheat.

22 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 23

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:

Windows® XP

Click

Start→

Control Panel→

Printers and Faxes→

Add a printer

to start

the Add Printer Wizard

and click

Network→ Add a printer

to start the Add Printer

Windows Vista

Click

Start

Wizard.

Install the printer driver if necessary (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 88 and the documentation that came with your printer).

24 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

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 out, in the center of the tray.

Ensure that the lower edge of the CD or DVD is seated inside the lower lip of the tray.

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.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 25

A CD player includes the following basic buttons:

Play

Move backward within the current track

Pause

Move forward within the current track

Stop

Go to the previous track

Eject

Go to the next track

A DVD player includes the following basic buttons:

Stop

Restart the current chapter

Play

Fast forward

Pause

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).

26 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Adjusting the Volume

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

Windows XP:

Click the

Entertainment

In the

Volume

volume.

For more information on volume control options, click Help in the Volu me Control window.

Windows Vista:

Click and then click

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

Start

button, point to

, and then click

Master Volume

control window, click and drag the bar in the

All Programs→ Accessories→

Volume Control

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

Start

Volume Mixer

, point to

Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Sound

Adjust System Volume

window, click and drag the bar in the

Speakers

Master

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 the

Under

In the

resolution

Under

(16 bit)

Click OK.

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

button, and then click

Pick a category

Pick a task...

, click

Display Properties

to change the setting to

Color quality

, click the drop-down menu, and then click

Start

and click

Control Panel

Appearance and Themes

Change the screen resolution

window, click and drag the bar in

800 by 600 pixels

Control Panel

Screen

Medium

Click

Appearance and Personalization

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 27

Under

In the change the setting to

Click the drop-down menu under

Click OK.

Personalization

Display Settings

800 by 600 pixels

, click

window, click and drag the bar in

Adjust screen resolution

Colors

, and then click

Resolution

Medium (16 bit)

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 Digital Media for other purposes, such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on your computer or backing up important data. For help, open Sonic Digital Media 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.

Windows® XP

Click the

Projects

Start

button, point to

→

Copy→ Disc Copy

All Programs→ Sonic→ DigitalMedia

28 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

To copy the CD or DVD:

• If you have one CD or DVD drive, ensure that the settings are correct and click the Disc Copy button. The computer reads your source CD or DVD 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 OK.

• If you have two CD or DVD drives, select the drive into which you have inserted your source CD or DVD and click the Disc Copy button. The computer copies the data from the source CD or DVD to the blank CD or DVD.

Windows Vista®:

Click

Start

→

Disc Copy

To copy the CD or DVD:

•

If you have one CD or DVD drive

click the

Disc Copy

All Programs→

button. The computer reads your source CD or DVD

Sonic→ DigitalMedia Projects→ Copy

, ensure that the settings are correct and

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

If you have two CD or DVD drives

•

inserted your source CD or DVD and click the

, select the drive into which you have

Disc Copy

button. 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.

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.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 29

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

CD -R W Yes Yes Yes

DVD-Writable Drives

Media Type Read Write Rewritable

CD-R Yes Yes No

CD -R W Yes Yes Yes

DVD+R Yes Yes No

DVD-R Yes Yes No

DVD +R W Ye s Ye s Yes

DVD -R W Yes Yes Yes

DVD+R DL Yes Yes No

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 Digital Media.

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

30 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

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