Dell Latitude CPi A User Manual

Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series System User's Guide

Introduction
Setup and Operation
Powering Your Computer
Traveling With Your Computer
Drivers
Customizing Your Computer
Removing and Replacing Parts
Troubleshooting
Technical Specifications
Getting Help

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 1998 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, Latitude, and the DELL logo are trademarks, and DellWare is a service mark of Dell Computer

Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Intel is a
registered trademark of Intel 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 Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

1314D

Initial release: 4 Dec 1998

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Introduction: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series System User's Guide

Overview | Hardware Features | Available Options | Getting Help

Overview

The Dell Latitude CPi A-Series portable computer is an expandable multimedia system designed around an
Intel® microprocessor with Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) technology. This chapter describes the
major hardware and software features of your computer.
of the computer, respectively.

Figure 1. Front View of the Computer

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the front and back view

1 Touch pad
2 Keyboard
3 Power button
4 Microphone
5 Display
6 Display latch
7 Status indicator panel
8 Air intake
9 AC adapter connector
10 Audio jacks (3)

11 Speaker

12 Modular bay
13 Touch pad buttons
14 Battery bay

Figure 2. Back View of the Computer

1 Fan
2 Parallel connector
3 USB connector
4 Status indicator panel
5 Docking connector
6 Docking connector door
7 Serial connector
8 Monitor connector
9 PS/2 connector
10 Infrared port
11 PC card slot
12 Hard-disk drive
13 Security cable slot
14 Speaker

Hardware Features

Your Dell computer has the following features:

Full multimedia capability through the following standard features:

A 12.1-inch super video graphics array (SVGA), thin film transistor (TFT), 800 x 600
active-matrix color display or a 13.3-inch extended graphics array (XGA), TFT 1024 x

768 active-matrix color display.

A CD-ROM drive that can be used in the modular bay. When you unpack your
computer, look for the CD-ROM drive in the accessories box of the shipping carton.
256-bit hardware-accelerated video support, with 2.5 megabytes (MB) of video
memory.
Support for a zoomed video (ZV) PC Card in the upper PC Card connector.
Software wavetable support, Sound Blaster emulation
Three audio jacks for connecting external speakers or headphones, a microphone,
and a record/playback device to your computer.
Built-in microphone and two stereo speakers.
Accelerated graphics port (AGP) architecture that increases system performance,
particularly video performance.

A modular bay that supports a CD-ROM drive, diskette drive, second battery or hard-disk drive, or LS­120 drive module. To make the computer as light as possible when you travel, use the special travel
module in the modular bay.

NOTE: Your computer was shipped with a diskette drive in the modular bay. For information on
removing the diskette drive and installing a different device in the bay, see

A 64-MB synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) module is standard. Memory can be
increased up to 256 MB by installing combinations of 32-, 64-, or 128-MB SDRAM modules in the two
memory module sockets on the system board.
Two power conservation modes—suspend mode and suspend-to-disk mode—that help you conserve
battery power. If the batteries run out of power, suspend-to-disk mode prevents data loss by copying
all system data to the hard-disk drive and turning off the computer.
Connectors for two 3.3-volt (V) or 5-V PC Cards. The upper PC Card connector supports ZV PC
Cards.

Modular Bay.

NOTE: The PC Card controller supports the CardBus standard for 32-bit data transfer on the PC
Card.

Hardware and software support for the Dell Latitude C/Port Advanced Port Replicator (C/Port APR) and
the Dell Latitude C/Dock Expansion Station.
A touch-pad pointing device positioned for both left- and right-handed users. The left and right touch­pad buttons mimic mouse buttons; you can also perform many pointing functions by tapping the touch
pad itself. Click-and-drag buttonless functions are supported.
A lithium ion battery in the battery bay, with support for a second battery in the modular bay.
ExpressCharge technology charges a single battery in approximately 1 hour (when the computer is off
or in suspend mode).

NOTE: The batteries are designed to work only with Dell Latitude CP Series portable computers.
Do not use the batteries with other computers, and do not use batteries from other computers
with the Dell Latitude CP Series.

WARNING: Do not puncture or incinerate the battery. When your battery no longer holds
a charge, call your local waste disposal agency or environmental agency for advice on
disposing the computer's lithium ion battery. The lithium ion technology used in the
battery is significantly less hazardous to the environment than the lithium metal
technology used in some other batteries (such as watch batteries).

High-performance parallel and serial ports and a multipurpose Personal System/2 (PS/2) connector for
attaching external devices. There is also a monitor connector for attaching an external monitor to your
computer and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector that supports stand-alone and hub devices.
An infrared port that permits file transfer without using cable connections. The port is compatible with

the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) Standard 1.1 (Fast IR) and Standard 1.0 (Slow IR) for use with

external devices.
An automatic thermal management system that uses a variable-speed fan and microprocessor speed
changes to keep the system running at the optimum temperature.

The following software is included with your Dell computer system:

The Microsoft® Windows® 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT® 4.0 or higher operating system is
installed on your hard-disk drive. For more information, see your operating system documentation.
The System Setup program lets you view and change the system configuration. For more information,
see

Using the System Setup Program.

The Program Diskette Maker allows you to create program diskette sets of software that Dell installed
on your computer's hard-disk drive.
Dell Diagnostics for evaluating the computer's components and devices.

NOTE: If Dell did not install an operating system on your hard-disk drive, the drivers, system utilities,
and diagnostics are available separately from Dell. To order, see
telephone number in your location.

Before turning on your computer for the first time, read all license agreements that came with your computer.
When you turn on your computer for the first time, if you agree with the license terms, indicate your
acceptance by typing y when prompted by the computer. Then complete the installation of your operating
system.

Getting Help for the appropriate

Available Options

As your computing requirements change, you can extend your computer's capabilities with the C/Port APR or
C/Dock Expansion Station. You can also install a hard-disk drive of larger capacity, increase system
memory, and add functionality with PC Cards. Dell also offers additional modules that you can install in the
modular bay, including a second hard-disk drive, CD-ROM drives, and LS-120 drive modules.

Dell offers the following devices and upgrade options:

C/Port APR and C/Dock Expansion Station
Additional batteries
External keyboards and a numeric keypad
External monitors
External pointing devices
External speakers, headphones, and microphones
Printers
Hard-disk drives
Second hard-disk drive for the modular bay
LS-120 drive modules
AC adapter
PC Cards
32-, 64-, and 128-MB memory modules
Carrying case

Instructions for connecting or installing these options are included in the upgrade kit you receive from Dell.

Getting Help

If at any time you don't understand a procedure described in this guide, or if your computer does not perform
as expected, Dell provides a number of tools to help you. For more information on these help tools, see

Getting Help.
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Setup and Operation: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series System User's
Guide

AC Adapter
Batteries
CD-ROM Drive
Display
Diskette Drive
Keyboard
PC Cards
Modular Bay
Touch Pad
Securing Your Computer
Connecting External Devices
I/O Connectors

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Powering Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series System
User's Guide

AC Adapter
Power Management Settings
Batteries

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Traveling With Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series
System User's Guide

Identifying Your Computer | Preparing Your Computer for Travel | Travel Tips

Identifying Your Computer

As an antitheft measure, assign a primary password and a hard-disk drive password to prohibit unauthorized
access to the computer.

Write down your service tag number, and put it in a safe place separate from the computer or carrying
case. If the computer is lost or stolen, use the service tag number when reporting to law enforcement
officials and to Dell.
Use a text editor (such as Windows® Notepad) to create a file called if_found in your root directory.
Place information such as your name, address, and telephone number in this file. (See the
documentation that came with your operating system for instructions on using the appropriate text
editor.)
Attach your business card or other name tag to the computer.
Contact your credit-card company and ask if it offers coded identification tags that allow your property
to be returned to you without the risk of revealing your name, address, or telephone number.
Use a permanent marking or stenciling device to write your driver’s license number or some other
unique identifying mark on the computer. If a lost or stolen computer is recovered, such marking
identifies the computer as your property.

Service Tag Number

The service tag number is a 5-character number on a bar code label located on the bottom of the computer.
The number is unique to your computer and allows Dell technical assistance personnel to identify the
computer and its configuration quickly if you call for assistance.

If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen

If your computer is lost or stolen, perform the following steps:

1. Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer.
Include the service tag number in your description of the computer. Ask that a case number be

assigned, and write it down. Also write down the name, address, and telephone number of the
law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer.

If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area. If
you do not know, call a law enforcement agency where you live.

2. If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the firm.

3. Call Dell technical assistance to report the missing computer.

Provide the computer’s service tag number, the case number, and the name, address, and

telephone number of the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer. If
possible, give the name of the investigating officer.

The Dell support technician will log your report under the computer’s service tag number and flag
the computer as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your
service tag number, the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The technician
will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then contact the law
enforcement agency to which you made the report of the missing or stolen computer.

Preparing Your Computer for Travel

To prepare your computer for travel, perform the following steps:

1. Remove any external devices attached to the computer, and store them in a safe place. If a diskette is
in the diskette drive, remove it. Remove any cables attached to installed PC Cards (you do not have to
remove the PC Cards themselves).

CAUTION: The PC Card eject button can be damaged if left in the "out" position.
Before traveling, make sure that the PC Card eject button is flush with the computer
case.

2. To make the computer as light as possible, remove the diskette drive or CD-ROM drive from the
modular bay and install the travel module.

3. To maximize battery life, check the charge on your battery. Then fully charge the battery and any
spares you plan to carry with you.

4. Turn off the computer or press <FN><A> to enter suspend-to-disk mode. (On a French keyboard,
press <FN><Q>.)

5. Disconnect the AC adapter.

CAUTION: When disconnecting the AC adapter from the computer, grasp the
adapter cable's connector, not the cable itself, and pull gently but firmly to avoid
damaging the cable.

6. Remove any extraneous items, such as paper clips, pens, paper, or notebooks, from the keyboard.
Then close the display.

CAUTION: When the display is closed, items left on the keyboard could damage the
display.

7. Pack all your computing accessories.
With the optional Dell carrying case, you can pack the computer and its accessories together.

NOTE: Follow the portable computer travel tips and take special precautions if you are planning to
travel by air.

Accessories

Spare batteries

AC adapter and AC power cable
Backup diskettes
Appropriate printer driver files if you will be using a printer
Cables for PC Cards (such as modem and network cards)
Power adapters for foreign electrical outlets and modem cable adapters
for foreign telephone networks
CD-ROM drive
Diskette drive and parallel cable for using the drive as an external device
Travel module

Traveling by Air

Notify airport security in advance that you are bringing a portable computer.
Be sure to have a charged battery or the AC adapter and power cable available in case you are asked
to turn on the computer.
Do not check the computer as baggage.
Do not put the computer through a metal detector.

CAUTION: Have airport security personnel check the computer by hand. If the
computer passes through a metal detector, data loss may occur. If you must pass
the computer through a metal detector, first remove the hard-disk drive.

The computer can go through an airport X-ray security machine.
Before using the computer on an airplane, check the in-flight magazine or ask the flight crew to verify
that such use is permitted. Some airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during the flight. All
airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing.
Dell has several carrying cases that protect the computer and accessories during travel.
If you pack the computer in a suitcase, do not pack so tightly that the computer display breaks or so
loosely that the computer slides around.
Avoid packing the computer with items such as shaving cream, colognes, perfumes, or food.
Protect the computer, the battery, and the hard-disk drive from hazards such as extreme temperatures;
overexposure to sunlight; and exposure to dirt, dust, or liquids.
Pack the computer so that it does not slide around in the trunk of your car or in an overhead storage
compartment.
If you are carrying a second hard-disk drive separately, protect the drive from exposure to static
electricity by placing the drive in an antistatic bag or wrapping it in a nonconductive fabric.

Travel Tips

Consider changing the settings of your power management options to maximize battery life if you will
be using battery power for extended periods.
If you are traveling internationally, carry proof of ownership to speed your passage through customs. If
the computer is provided by your employer, carry documentation of your right to use the computer.
Investigate the customs regulations of the countries you plan to visit, and consider acquiring an
international carnet from your government if you travel through many different countries.
Power interruptions can occur frequently in some countries. Always have a charged battery available if
traveling abroad.
Credit card holders should check with their credit card companies for information about the kinds of

emergency travel assistance they offer to users of portable computers. Many companies provide

services that help you solve problems, such as quickly locating 3.5-inch diskettes or providing a direct­dial telephone line for your modem connection.

CAUTION: Do not use the CD-ROM drive while the computer is in motion. Doing so
could interrupt the flow of data to and from the CD-ROM drive and the hard-disk
drive or diskette drive.

Carnet

A carnet is an international customs document (also known as a merchandise passport) that facilitates
temporary imports into foreign countries and is valid for up to 1 year.

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Drivers: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series System User's Guide

Installing Microsoft® Windows® 95 and Windows 98 Drivers
Installing Microsoft Windows NT® Drivers

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Customizing Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series
System User's Guide

Using the System Setup Program
Power Management Settings
Suspend-to-Disk Utility

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Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series
System User's Guide

Installing a Primary Hard-Disk Drive | Installing Memory Modules

Installing a Primary Hard-Disk Drive

CAUTION: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer before removing the hard-disk drive.
Do not remove the hard-disk drive if the computer is in suspend mode or if the drive access
indicator is lit. Removing the drive under these conditions will lead to loss of data.

To install a primary hard-disk drive, perform the following steps:

1. Save any open files, turn off the computer, and remove any installed batteries.

2. If there is a hard-disk drive in the drive bay, remove it.
Close the display and turn the computer over. Use a small Phillips-head screwdriver to remove

the two screws (see Figure 1) that hold the drive carrier in the drive bay. Save the screws for use
later in this procedure.

Figure 1. Removing a Hard-Disk Drive

3. Gently pull the drive carrier out of the drive.
When the hard-disk drive is not in the computer, protect the drive from exposure to static

electricity.

4. Remove the new drive from its packaging.
Save the original packaging to use when storing or shipping the hard-disk drive.

5. Install the new drive into the drive carrier.

6. Gently push the drive carrier into the drive bay until the carrier door is flush with the computer case.

7. Replace the two screws you removed in step 2. Be careful not to overtighten the screws.

If you have installed a new hard-disk drive, follow the directions that came with the drive to partition and
logically format the drive and to create a suspend-to-disk partition.

CAUTION: If the drive carrier does not slide in easily, pull it out and try again. Do not
force the drive carrier into the bay.

CAUTION: Hard-disk drives are extremely fragile and must be handled carefully. Follow these
guidelines:

The primary hard-disk drive is installed in a metal carrier to protect the drive and make
installation easier. When removing and installing hard-disk drives, handle the drive
carrier, not the drive itself.
Never press down on the top of the drive.
Do not drop the drive. Even a slight jar or bump can damage the drive heads and
spinning plates, thus rendering the drive inoperable.
The primary hard-disk drive may be hot to the touch under extreme environmental
conditions. If the drive is hot, allow it to cool before replacing it.

Preparing a New Primary Drive

Every primary hard-disk drive must be physically formatted, partitioned, and logically formatted before it can
be used to store data. Every primary hard-disk drive from Dell is physically formatted before it is sent to you.
Use the program(s) provided by your operating system to partition and logically format the hard-disk drive.

Installing Memory Modules

NOTES: If necessary, print these instructions for reference before proceeding.
CAUTION: If you install a combination of extended-data out (EDO) and SDRAM memory modules,

your computer will not operate.

To prepare the computer to remove or install memory modules, perform the following steps:

1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals.
Do not install memory modules while the computer is in suspend, standby, or suspend-to-disk

mode.

2. If the computer is docked, undock it.

3. Disconnect the computer and peripherals from AC power to reduce the potential for personal injury or
shock.

4. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication line from the computer.

5. Remove the battery from the battery bay or the modular bay.

CAUTION: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface of a connector on the back
of the computer. While you work, periodically touch the connector to dissipate any static
electricity that might harm internal components.

To remove or install memory modules, perform the following steps:

1. Close the display, turn the computer upside down, and remove the memory module cover.
Locate the small semicircular indentation at one end of the memory module cover. Place the tip

of your finger under the cover by the indentation and gently lift it up. Put the thumb of your other
hand over the ridges on the door and push it toward the unlock icon. When the door pops up,
slide it back and remove it.

2. If you are replacing a memory module, remove the old one.
Carefully spread apart the inner metal tabs of the memory module socket just far enough for the

memory module to disengage from the socket (it should pop up slightly). Then lift the memory
module away from the socket.

3. Ground yourself and unpack the new memory module from the upgrade kit.

4. Install the new memory module.
Memory modules are keyed, or designed to fit into their sockets in only one direction. The sockets

on the system board are notched so that the memory module can be firmly seated only one way.

a. Align the memory module’s edge connector with the slot in the center of the memory

module socket.

b. With the module at a 45-degree angle, press the memory module’s edge connector firmly

into the memory module socket.

c. Pivot the memory module down until it clicks into place.

If you do not hear a click as each end of the memory module snaps into the metal tabs, remove
the memory module and reinstall it.

5. Replace the memory module cover (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Installing a Memory Module Cover

a. Set the memory module cover loosely over the opening, making sure that the plastic tabs

on the bottom of the cover catch in the slots on either side of the opening.

b. Slide the cover closed until it clicks into place.

6. Reconnect your computer and peripherals to AC power and turn them on.
As the computer boots, it detects the presence of additional memory and automatically updates

the system configuration information.

7. In one of the following ways, verify that the System Memory option reflects the newly installed
memory:

Click the Start button, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and click the System icon.
The amount of memory installed in the computer is displayed in the lower-right corner of the
General tab window.
In the System Setup program, the System Memory option appears in the lower-right corner
of pages 1, 2, and 4.

If the total is incorrect, the memory module(s) may not be installed properly. Repeat preparatory
steps 1 through 5 and removal and installation steps 1 through 8 until the memory total is correct.

8. Run the RAM test group of the Dell Diagnostics to confirm that all installed memory modules are
operating correctly.

9. Use the
stores system data while the computer is in suspend-to-disk mode.

Suspend-to-Disk utility to update the S2D partition on your hard-disk drive. The S2D partition

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Troubleshooting Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series
System User's Guide

Running the Dell Diagnostics
Diagnostic Video Tests
Error Messages and Flash Codes

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Technical Specifications: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series System
User's Guide

Chip Set and Bus

System chip set
Microprocessor data bus

width
DRAM bus width 64 bits
Address bus width 32 bits
Flash EPROM 4 Mbits
AGP bus 66 MHz
PCI bus 33 MHz

CardBus controller Texas Instruments PCI 1225 CardBus controller
PC Card connectors two (supports type I and type II cards in any combination; type III cards can

®

Intel
64 bits

be used only in the lower connector; the upper connector supports zoomed
video cards on systems using the Microsoft® Windows® 95 or Windows 98

operating system)

Mobile 440BX PCIset

PC Cards

Cards supported 3.3-V and 5-V
PC Card connector size 68 pins
Data width (maximum):

16 bits

PCMCIA

32 bits

CardBus

Architecture SDRAM memory
Memory module sockets two
Memory module capacities

and type

32-, 64-, and 128-MB 3.3-V SDRAM

Memory

1

Standard RAM one 64-MB memory module

Maximum RAM 256 MB
Memory access time:

60 ns

tRAC

15 ns

tCAC

BIOS address F000:0000-F000:FFFF

Connectors

Serial (DTE) one 16,550-compatible, 16-byte buffer connector
Parallel one unidirectional, bidirectional, or ECP connector
Video one connector
PS/2 one mini-DIN connector
Infrared one port compatible with both IrDA Standard 1.1

(Fast IR) and IrDA Standard 1.0 (Slow IR)

Audio one microphone-in jack;

one line-in/audio-in jack;

one headphones/speakers jack
USB one USB-compliant connector
Docking one connector for the C/Port Advanced Port

Replicator or C/Dock Expansion Station

Audio

Audio type Sound Blaster emulation
Audio controller NeoMagic 2200 AC97 Codec
Stereo conversion 16 bit (analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog)
Interfaces:

PCI bus / AC97

Internal

stereo line-in minijack;

External

microphone-in minijack;

headphones/speakers-out minijack
Speakers two 8-ohm speakers
Internal speaker amplifier 1 W into 8 ohms stereo

Controls volume can be controlled through key combinations, software application

menus, or the Speaker window in the Dell Control Center (Windows 95 only)

Video

Video type 256-bit hardware-accelerated
Data bus AGP
Video controller NeoMagic 2200
Video memory 2.5 MB

12.1-Inch Display

Type active-matrix color (TFT LVDS)
Dimensions (active area):

184.5 mm (7.26 inches)

Height

246.0 mm (9.68 inches)

Width

Diagonal

Maximum
resolution/colors

Response time
(typical)

Operating angle

Dot pitch

Power consumption:

307.5 mm (12.1 inches)

800 x 600 pixels; 16 million colors

50 ms

0° (closed) to 180°

0.31 mm

Panel (typical)

Backlight

0.6 W

2.4 W

Controls brightness can be controlled through a key combination, the Display window

in the Dell Control Center (Windows 95 only), or the System Setup program

Type active-matrix color (TFT)
Dimensions (active area):

202.8 mm (7.98 inches)

Height

270.3 mm (10.64 inches)

Width

337.8 mm (13.3 inches)

Diagonal

1024 x 768 pixels; 65,536 colors

Maximum
resolution/colors

50 ms

Response time
(typical)

13.3-Inch Display

0° (closed) to 180°

Operating angle

0.26 mm

Dot pitch

Power consumption:

1.7 W

Panel (typical)

2.6 W

Backlight

Controls brightness can be controlled through a key combination, the Display window

in the Dell Control Center (Windows 95 only), or the System Setup program

Keyboard

Number of keys 87 (U.S., Canada, Korea, Thailand, and locations that use traditional

Chinese);

88 (Europe);

90 (Japan)

Key travel 3.0 mm + 0.5 mm/-0.2 mm

(0.12 inch + 0.02 inch/-0.0008 inch)

Input frequency 47 to 63 Hz

Key spacing 19.05 mm ± 0.3 mm (0.75 inch ± 0.012 inch)

Battery

Type lithium ion
Dimensions:

21.5 mm (0.83 inch)

Height

88.5 mm (3.48 inches)

Depth

139.0 mm (5.47 inches)

Width

0.39 kg (0.87 lb)

Weight

Voltage 16.8 VDC
Capacity 44 WH

Charge time (approximate):

2

2.5 hours

Computer on

1 hour

Computer off

Life span (approximate)

2

500 discharge/charge cycles
Temperature range:

0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)

Charge

-20° to 60°C (-4° to 140°F)

Storage

AC Adapter

Input voltage 90 to 135 VAC and 164 to 264 VAC
Input current (maximum) 3.5 A

Output current 4.5 A (maximum at 4-second pulse);

3.51 A (continuous)
Rated output voltage 20.0 VDC
Height 27.94 mm (1.1 inches)
Width 58.42 mm (2.3 inches)
Depth 133.35 mm (5.25 inches)
Weight (with cables) 0.4 kg (0.9 lb)
Temperature range:

0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)

Operating

-20° to 60°C (-4° to 140°F)

Storage

Physical

Height 38.6 mm (1.52 inches)
Width 306.0 mm (12.05 inches)
Depth 241.0 mm (9.49 inches)

Weight

3

2.63 kg (5.8 lb)

Environmental (Computer)

Temperature:

0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)

Operating

-20° to 60°C (-4° to 140°F)

Storage

Relative humidity (maximum):

10% to 90% (noncondensing)

Operating

Storage

Maximum vibration:

Operating

5% to 95% (noncondensing)

0.51 GRMS using a random-vibration spectrum that simulates truck shipment

Storage

1.3 GRMS using a random-vibration spectrum that simulates air/truck

shipment

Maximum shock:

4

152.4 cm/sec (60.0 inches/sec)

Operating

(less than or equal to a pulse width of 2 ms)

203.2 cm/sec (80 inches/sec)

Storage

(less than or equal to a pulse width of 2 ms)

Altitude (maximum):

-18 to 3048 m (-59 to 10,000 ft)

Operating

-18 to 10,600 m (-59 to 35,000 ft)

Storage

Interface PS/2-compatible

Touch Pad

X/Y position resolution
(graphics table mode)

Size:

Thickness

Width (sensor­active area)

Height

Weight

Power:

200 points/mm (500 points/inch)

2.50 mm (0.10 inch) at highest component

61.8 mm (2.43 inch) at bottom

58.6 mm (2.31 inch) at top

48.8-mm (1.92-inch) rectangle

8 g (0.28 oz) 0.5 g (0.02 oz)

Supply voltage

Supply current

5 V ± 10%

2.75 mA (maximum operating)

ESD 12 kV applied to front surface

NOTES:

1

The Dell Latitude CPi A-Series does not support memory modules from older models of Dell portable

computers, such as the Latitude XP, XPi CD, or LM.

2

Battery performance features such as charge time and life span can vary according to the conditions

under which the computer and battery are used.

3

Weight shown is with a hard-disk drive, a battery in the battery bay, a diskette drive in the modular bay,
and one memory module. Your computer might weigh more or less, depending on its configuration. The
maximum weight of the Dell Latitude CPi A366XT is 2.81 kg (6.2 lb), which includes a hard-disk drive,
two batteries, and two memory modules. The minimum weight of a Latitude CPi A300ST is 2.4 kg (5.3 lb),
which includes a hard-disk drive, a battery in the battery bay, the travel module in the modular bay, and
one memory module.

4

Measured with the hard-disk drive in head-parked position.

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Getting Help: Dell™ Latitude™ CPi A-Series System User's Guide

Overview | Technical Assistance | Help Tools | Problems With Your Order | Product Information | Returning Items for Warranty
Repair or Credit | Before You Call | Dell Contact Numbers

Overview

This file describes the tools Dell provides to help you when you have a problem with your computer. It also tells you when and how
to call Dell for technical or customer assistance.

Technical Assistance

If you need assistance with a technical problem, perform the following steps:

1. Run the Dell Diagnostics as described in

2. Make a copy of the

3. Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell's World Wide Web site (http://www.dell.com) for help with

installation and troubleshooting procedures.

4. If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem and you need to talk to a Dell technician, call Dell's technical support

service.

When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper
support personnel. If you do not have an Express Service Code, open the Dell Accessories folder, double-click the Express
Service Code icon, and follow the directions.

NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries

For instructions on using the technical support service, refer to

Diagnostics Checklist and fill it out.

Running the Dell Diagnostics.

Technical Support Service and Before You Call.

Help Tools

Dell provides a number of tools to assist you. These tools are described in the following sections.

NOTE: Some of the following tools are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Please call your local
Dell representative for information on availability.

World Wide Web on the Internet

The Internet is your most powerful tool for obtaining information about your computer and other Dell products. Through the Internet,
you can access most of the services described in this file, including AutoTech, TechFax, order status, technical support, and product
information.

From Dell's World Wide Web home page (http://www.dell.com), click the Support icon, and click Support Your Dell. Enter
your service tag number (or, if you have one, your Express Service Code) and click Submit. If you don't have your service tag
number or Express Service Code available, you can also select support information by system.

Everything you need to know about your system is presented on the system support page, including the following tools and
information:

Technical information — Details on every aspect of your system, including hardware specifications.
Self-diagnostic tools — A system-specific troubleshooting application for resolving many computer-related issues by following
interactive flowcharts.
Drivers, files, and utilities — The latest drivers and basic input/output system (BIOS) updates to keep your system functioning
at its best.
Component support — Technical information, documentation, and troubleshooting tips for different system components.

Online communications center — Tool for submitting requests for both technical and nontechnical information on Dell products.

Avoid telephone delays by receiving an e-mail response to your request for information if your computer is not functioning
properly or if you have questions regarding your computer's hardware or operation.

Dell can be accessed electronically using the following addresses:

World Wide Web

http://www.dell.com/
http://www.dell.com/intl/apcc/ (for Asian/Pacific countries only)
http://www.euro.dell.com (for Europe only)

Anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP)

ftp.dell.com/

Log in as

user: anonymous, and use your e-mail address as your password.

Electronic Support Service

[e-mail]
[e-mail] (for Asian/Pacific countries only)
support.euro.dell.com (for Europe only)

Electronic Quote Service

[e-mail]
[e-mail] (for Asian/Pacific countries only)

Electronic Information Service

[e-mail]

AutoTech Service

Dell's automated technical support service—AutoTech—provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell
customers.

When you call AutoTech, you use your touch-tone telephone to select the subjects that correspond to your questions. You can even
interrupt an AutoTech session and continue the session later. The code number that the AutoTech service gives you allows you to
continue your session where you ended it.

The AutoTech service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access this service through the technical
support service. For the telephone number to call, refer to

Dell Contact Numbers.

TechFax Service

Dell takes full advantage of fax technology to serve you better. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, you can call the Dell
TechFax line toll-free for all kinds of technical information.

Using a touch-tone phone, you can select from a full directory of topics. The technical information you request is sent within minutes
to the fax number you designate. For the TechFax telephone number to call, refer to

Dell Contact Numbers.

TechConnect BBS

Use your modem to access Dell's TechConnect bulletin board service (BBS) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is
menu-driven and fully interactive. The protocol parameters for the BBS are 1200 to 19.2K baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.

Automated Order-Status System

You can call this automated service to check on the status of any Dell products that you have ordered. A recording prompts you for

WARNING: If you need to remove the computer covers, be sure to first disconnect the computer system's power and

the information needed to locate and report on your order. For the telephone number to call, refer to

Technical Support Service

Dell's industry-leading hardware technical support service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your questions
about Dell hardware.

Our technical support staff pride themselves on their track record: more than 90 percent of all problems and questions are taken
care of in just one toll-free call, usually in less than 10 minutes. When you call, our experts can refer to records kept on your Dell
system to better understand your particular question. Our technical support staff use computer-based diagnostics to provide fast,
accurate answers to questions.

Dell Contact Numbers.

To contact Dell's technical support service, first refer to

Contact Numbers.

Before You Call and then call the number for your country as listed in Dell

Problems With Your Order

If you have a problem with your order, such as missing parts, wrong parts, or incorrect billing, contact Dell Computer Corporation for
customer assistance. Have your invoice or packing slip handy when you call. For the telephone number to call, refer to

Numbers.

Dell Contact

Product Information

If you need information about additional products available from Dell Computer Corporation, or if you would like to place an order,
visit Dell's World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com. For the telephone number to call to speak to a sales specialist, refer to

Contact Numbers.

Dell

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Prepare all items being returned, whether for repair or credit, as follows:

1. Call Dell to obtain an authorization number, and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box.
For the telephone number to call, refer to

2. Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for the return.

3. Include a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist indicating the tests you have run and any error messages reported by the Dell

Diagnostics.

4. Include any accessories that belong with the item(s) being returned (power cables, software diskettes, guides, and so on) if the
return is for credit.

5. Pack the equipment to be returned in the original (or equivalent) packing materials.

Dell Contact Numbers.

You are responsible for paying shipping expenses. You are also responsible for insuring any product returned, and you assume the
risk of loss during shipment to Dell Computer Corporation. Collect On Delivery (C.O.D.) packages are not accepted.

Returns that are missing any of the preceding requirements will be refused at our receiving dock and returned to you.

Before You Call

NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell's automated-support telephone system
direct your call more efficiently.

Remember to fill out the
assistance and call from a telephone at or near the computer. You may be asked to type some commands at the keyboard, relay
detailed information during operations, or try other troubleshooting steps possible only at the computer system itself. Make sure the
system documentation is available.

Diagnostics Checklist (Figure 1). If possible, turn on your system before you call Dell for technical