Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, DellNet, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerConnect,
PowerVault, PowerApp, and Dell OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Celeron, and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel
Corporation; Microsoft, Outlook, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; EMC is a registered trademark of EMC
Corporation.
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.
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
• How to set up my computer
• Basic troubleshooting information
• How to run the Dell Diagnostics
• How to set up a printer
• Additional information about setting up my computer
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
• How to remove and install parts
• Specifications
• How to contact Dell
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Owner’s Manual
NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at
support.dell.com.
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License
These labels are located on
• Use the Service Tag to
identify your computer
when you use
support.dell.com
contact technical
support.
• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when
contacting technical support.
the bottom of
or
Finding Information9
your computer.
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• 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
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.
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
• Notebook System Software (NSS)— If you reinstall the
operating system for your computer, you should also
reinstall the NSS utility. NSS provides critical updates
for your operating system and support for Dell™
3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel
®
Pentium® M
processors, optical drives, and USB devices. NSS is
necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.
The software automatically detects your computer and
operating system and installs the updates appropriate
for your configuration.
• How to use Windows XP
• How to work with programs and files
• How to personalize my desktop
To download Notebook System Software:
1
Go to
support.dell.com
2
Enter your Service Tag or product model.
3
In the
4
Select the operating system and operating system
language for your computer, and click
5
Under
Configuration Utilities
Software
Windows Help and Support Center
1
Click the
2
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and
click the arrow icon.
3
Click the topic that describes your problem.
4
Follow the instructions on the screen.
and click
Download Category
Select a Device
, scroll to
, and click
.
Start
button and click
Downloads
.
drop-down menu, click
Submit.
System and
Dell Notebook System
Help and Support
.
All
.
10Finding Information
A Tour of Your Computer
Front View
1
10
9
8
2
3
4
5
6
7
1display latch release5touch pad9keyboard
2display latches (2)6touch pad buttons10power button
3display7speakers
4keyboard status lights8device status lights
A Tour of Your Computer11
DISPLAY LATCH RELEASE — Slide to release the display latches and open the display.
DISPLAY LATCHES — Keeps the display closed.
DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see “
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS
Using the Display
.”
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
9
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
A
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
TOUCH PAD/TOUCH PAD BUTTONS — Provides the functionality of a mouse.
SPEAKERS — To adjust the volume of the integrated speakers, press the speaker-volume keyboard shortcuts. For
more information, see “
Speaker Functions
.”
12A Tour of Your Computer
DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS
Turns on when you turn on the computer, and blinks when the computer is in a power
management mode.
Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.
Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status.
Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To enable or disable wireless networking, press
<Fn><F2>.
NOTE: Wireless networking is optional and may not be available on your computer.
NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the light is flashing.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:
•Solid green: The battery is charging.
•Flashing green: The battery is almost fully charged.
If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows:
•Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off).
•Flashing orange: The battery charge is low.
•Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.
KEYBOARD — The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft Windows logo key. For information
on supported keyboard shortcuts, see “
POWERBUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power management mode.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data when you turn off your computer, shut down your computer through the Start menu
To use the internal modem, connect the telephone line to
the modem connector.
For additional information on using the modem, see the
online modem documentation supplied with your computer.
NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. To avoid damaging the computer, do
not plug a telephone line into the network connector.
14A Tour of Your Computer
NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
Connects the computer to a network. The green and yellow
lights next to the connector indicate activity for wired
network communications.
For information on using the network adapter, see the
online network adapter documentation supplied with
your computer.
VIDEO CONNECTOR
Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor.
USB CONNECTORS
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
You can also connect the optional floppy drive
USB connector using the optional floppy-drive
CONNECTORS
AUDIO
directly to a
cable.
Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.
Attach a microphone to the connector.
EXPRESSCARDSLOT — Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot.
For more information, see “
OPTICAL DRIVE — You can install devices such as a DVD drive or other optical drive in the optical drive
bay. For more information, see “
OPTICAL-DRIVE-TRAY EJECT BUTTON — Press this button to eject a CD or DVD from the optical drive.
SECURITY CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. For more
information, see the instructions included with the device.
NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.
CD/DVD Drive
2
3
.”
16A Tour of Your Computer
Back View
1AC adapter connector2air vent
AC ADAPTERCONNECTOR —ATTACHES AN AC ADAPTER TO THE COMPUTER.
21
The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the
AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off.
CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power
strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip
or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the connector, not the cable itself,
and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable.
CAUTION: Do not block or push objects into the air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow
environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or
cause a fire.
AIRVENT — The computer uses fans to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from
MEMORY MODULE/MINI PCI COVER — Covers the compartment that contains the memory module(s) and Mini
Memory
PCI card. For more information on replacing memory, see “
PCI card, see “
OPTICALDRIVELOCKINGSCREW — Secures the optical drive in the optical drive bay. For more information, see
CD/DVD Drive
“
HARD DRIVE — Stores software and data. For more information, see “
BATTERY — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an
Wireless Mini PCI Card
.”
electrical outlet. For more information, see “
BATTERY-BAY LATCH LOCK — Unlocks the battery so that it can be released from the battery bay.
BATTERY-BAY LATCH RELEASE — Releases the battery from the battery bay. See “
PROCESSOR AND THERMAL MODULE COVER — Covers the processor and thermal module.
FAN — The computer uses fans to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.
.”
Using a Battery
.” For more information on replacing the Mini
Hard Drive
.”
.”
Replacing the Battery
.”
18A Tour of Your Computer
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.
To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service
provider (ISP). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options:
•Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections
are considerably slower than DSL and cable modem connections.
•DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line.
With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same line
simultaneously.
•Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local cable TV
line.
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your
computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are using
a DSL or cable modem connection, contact your ISP for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop.
3
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with
a different ISP:
1
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2
Click the
The
Start
button and click
New Connection Wizard
Internet Explorer
appears.
.
3
Click
Connect to the Internet
4
In the next window, click the appropriate option:
•If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click
providers (ISPs)
.
.
Choose from a list of Internet service
Setting Up Your Computer19
•If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a setup CD,
Set up my connection manually
click
•If you have a CD, click
5
Click
Next
.
If you selected
Set up my connection manually
Use the CD I got from an ISP
.
.
, 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.
6
Click the appropriate option under
7
Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "
How do you want to connect to the Internet?
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
, and then click
Next
." 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.
Transferring Information to a New Computer
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a 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 USB connection, or you can store it on
a removable medium, such as a writable CD or floppy, for transfer to the new computer.
.
NOTE: You can transfer information from the old computer to the new computer by directly connecting the two
computers with a USB cable. To transfer data over a USB 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.
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 some countries.
For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
You can use the optional Operating System CD for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard utility.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System CD
NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System CD. This CD is optional and may not be included with all
computers.
20Setting Up Your Computer
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:
1
Start the
2
When the
3
On the
4
On the
and click
5
When the
click
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the Windows XP
1
2
On the
3
Under
4
On the
5
On the
6
On the
7
On the
After the information has been copied, the
8
Click
To transfer data to the new computer:
1
On the
2
On the
settings and files and click
The
new computer.
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Which computer is this?
Do you have a Windows XP CD?
Next
.
Now go to your old computer
Next
at this time.
Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP
What do you want to do?
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Which computer is this?
Select a transfer method
What do you want to transfer?
Finish
.
Now go to your old computer
Where are the files and settings?
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
screen, click
, click
screen, click
screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
screen on the new computer, click
Next
.
screen, click
screen appears, go to your old or source computer. Do
Transfer files and settings
welcome screen, click
screen, select the items you want to transfer and click
Completing the Collection Phase
screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your
welcome screen appears, click
New Computer
I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD
Operating System
screen, click
Old Computer
and click
CD.
Perform additional tasks
and click
.
Next
Next
.
Next
Next
.
.
screen appears.
Next
.
.
not
.
Next
.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the
3
Click
Finished
and restart the new computer.
Finished
screen appears.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System CD
To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the optional Operating System CD, 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:
1
Click the
2
Click
3
When the
Start
button.
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
.
welcome screen appears, click
Next
.
Setting Up Your Computer21
4
On the
5
On the
drive:
6
Insert the removable media, such as a floppy disk or CD, and click OK.
7
When the disk creation completes and the
Next
8
Go to the old computer.
Which computer is this?
screen, click
Do you have a Windows XP CD?
and click
Next.
.
New Computer
screen, click
and click
I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following
Now go to your old computer
Next
message appears,
To copy data from the old computer:
1
On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.
2
Click the
3
In the
media) and click
4
On the
5
On the
6
On the
7
On the
After the information has been copied, the
8
Click
Start
Open
button and click
field on the
OK
.
Run
.
Run
window, browse to the path for
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Which computer is this?
Select a transfer method
screen, click
screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
What do you want to transfer?
Finish
.
fastwiz
(on the appropriate removable
welcome screen, click
Old Computer
Next
and click
.
Next
screen, select the items you want to transfer and click
Completing the Collection Phase
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the
1
2
On the
settings and files and click
Now go to your old computer
screen on the new computer, click
Where are the files and settings?
Next
. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Next
screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
.
.
screen appears.
.
do not
Next
click
.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the
3
Click
Finished
NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search dell.support.com for document #PA1089586 (How Do I
Transfer Files From My Old Computer to My New Dell™ Computer Using the Microsoft
System?).
NOTE: Access to the Dell Knowledge Base document may not be available in some countries.
and restart the new computer.
Finished
screen appears.
®
Windows® XP Operating
Setting Up a Printer
NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer.
22Setting Up Your 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 a USB cable. Your printer may not come with a printer
cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer and computer.
If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in
the box in which your computer was shipped.
Connecting a USB Printer
NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.
1
Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so.
2
Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer. The USB
connectors fit only one way.
1
3
2
1USB connector on computer2USB printer cable3connector on printer
Setting Up Your Computer23
3
Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the
Cancel
appears, click
4
Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer.
.
Add New Hardware Wizard
window
Power Protection Devices
Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures:
•Surge protectors
•Line conditioners
•Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help prevent damage to your computer
from voltage spikes that can occur during electrical storms or after power interruptions. Some surge
protector manufacturers include warranty coverage for certain types of damage. Carefully read the device
warranty when choosing a surge protector. A device with a higher joule rating offers more protection.
Compare joule ratings to determine the relative effectiveness of different devices.
NOTICE: Most surge protectors do not protect against power fluctuations or power interruptions caused by
nearby lightning strikes. When lightning occurs in your area, disconnect the telephone line from the telephone wall
jack and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.
Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. See the surge protector
documentation for modem connection instructions.
NOTICE: Not all surge protectors offer network adapter protection. Disconnect the network cable from the
network wall jack during electrical storms.
Line Conditioners
NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions.
Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in data loss or file damage.
NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to a UPS. Connect other devices,
such as a printer, to a separate power strip that provides surge protection.
A UPS protects against power fluctuations and interruptions. UPS devices contain a battery that
provides temporary power to connected devices when AC power is interrupted. The battery charges while
AC power is available. See the UPS manufacturer documentation for information on battery operating
time and to ensure that the device is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
24Setting Up Your Computer
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power by setting the
brightness to the lowest comfortable setting by pressing <Fn> and the up- or down-arrow key on
the keyboard.
The Dell QuickSet Brightness Meter shows the current brightness setting for the display. Right-click
the icon in the taskbar to enable or disable the Brightness Meter on the screen.
NOTE: By default, the Brightness Meter appears in the lower-right
corner of the display. You can click and drag the meter to a preferred
location.
NOTE: Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your
portable computer, not monitors that you attach to your portable
computer or docking device. If your computer is connected to an external monitor and you try to change the
brightness level, the Brightness Meter appears, but the brightness level on the monitor does not change.
You can enable or disable the Brightness Meter from the QuickSet taskbar menu. When the meter is
enabled, press the following keys to adjust brightness:
•Press <Fn> and the up-arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated display only (not on an
external monitor).
•Press <Fn> and the down-arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only (not on
an external monitor).
For more information on using QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar and click Help.
Switching the Video Image
When you start the computer with an external device (such as an external monitor or projector)
attached and turned on, the image may appear on either the computer display or the external device.
Press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image between the display only, the external device only, or
the display and the external device simultaneously.
Using the Display25
Setting Display Resolution
To display a program at a specific resolution, both the graphics card and the display must support the
program, and the necessary video drivers must be installed.
Before you change any of the default display settings, make a note of the default settings for future
reference.
If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust
automatically to the closest supported values.
1
Click the
2
Under
3
Under
Display
4
Try different settings for
NOTE: As the resolution increases, icons and text appear smaller on the screen.
Start
button and click
Pick a category
Pick a task...
.
, click the area you want to change, or under
Control Panel
, click
Appearance and Themes
Color quality
.
and
Screen resolution
.
or pick a Control Panel icon
.
, click
26Using the Display
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad
1
1 numeric keypad
The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external keyboard. Each key on the
keypad has multiple functions. The keypad numbers and symbols are marked in blue on the right of
the keypad keys. To type a number or symbol, press <Fn> and the desired key after enabling the
keypad.
•To enable the keypad, press <Num Lk>. The light indicates that the keypad is active.
•To disable the keypad, press <Num Lk> again.
9
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad27
Key Combinations
System Functions
<Ctrl><Shift><Esc>Opens the Task Manager window.
CD or DVD Tray
<Fn><F10>Ejects the tray out of the drive (if Dell QuickSet is
installed). For more information on QuickSet, see
Dell™ QuickSet Features
“
Display Functions
<Fn><F8>Switches the video image to the next display option. The
options include the integrated display, an external
monitor, and both displays simultaneously.
<Fn> and up-arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only (not
on an external monitor).
<Fn> and down-arrow
key
Decreases brightness on the integrated display only (not
on an external monitor).
Radios (Including Wireless Networking)
.”
<Fn><F2>Enables and disables radios, including wireless
networking.
NOTE: Wireless networking is optional and may not be
available on your computer.
Power Management
<Fn><Esc>Activates a power management mode. You can
reprogram this keyboard shortcut to activate a different
power management mode using the Advanced tab in the
Power Options Properties window. See “
Management Modes
28Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
.”
Power
Speaker Functions
<Fn><Page Up>Increases the volume of the integrated speakers and
external speakers, if attached.
<Fn><Page Dn>Decreases the volume of the integrated speakers and
external speakers, if attached.
<Fn><End>Enables and disables the integrated speakers and external
speakers, if attached.
Microsoft
Windows logo key and
<m>
Windows logo key and
<Shift><m>
Windows logo key and <e> Runs Windows Explorer.
Windows logo key and <r> Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key and <f> Opens the Search Results dialog box.
Windows logo key and
<Ctrl><f>
Windows logo key and
<Pause>
®
Windows® Logo Key Functions
Minimizes all open windows.
Maximizes all windows.
Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box
(if the computer is connected to a network).
Opens the System Properties dialog box.
To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate, open the Control Panel, click Printers
and Other Hardware, and click Keyboard. For information about the Control Panel, see “
and Support Center
.”
Windows Help
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad29
Touch Pad
The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you to move the cursor on the
display. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse.
1
1 touch pad
•To move the cursor, lightly slide your finger over the touch pad.
•To select an object, lightly tap once on the surface of the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left
touch-pad button.
•To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch
pad. On the second tap, leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding
your finger over the surface.
•To double-click an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad or use your
thumb to press the left touch-pad button twice.
Customizing the Touch Pad
You can use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad or adjust their settings.
1
Open the Control Panel, click
about the Control Panel, see “Windows Help and Support Center.”
2
In the
Mouse Properties
3
Click OK to save the settings and close the window.
30Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Printers and Other Hardware
window, click the
Touch Pad
, and then click
tab to adjust touch pad settings.
Mouse
. For information
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