Dell Latitude CPx J User Manual

Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H -Series/J-Series User's Guide

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

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 1999 – 2000 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, Dimension, Inspiron, Optiplex, ExpressCharge , HyperCool, and DellWare are

trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT , and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks and SpeedStep is trademark of Intel Corporation. As an ENERGY STAR
partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

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.

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other
intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology
must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise
authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

Model PPX

Initial release: 15 Nov 1999
Last revised: 28 Aug 2000

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Preface: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J-Series User's Guide

About This Guide Notational Conventions
Warranty and Return Policy Information Typographical Conventions
Other Documents You May Need

About This Guide

This guide is intended for anyone who uses the Dell Latitude CPx H-Series/J-Series portable computers. It
can be used by both first-time and experienced computer users who want to learn about the features of the
computer. This guide also provides basic troubleshooting procedures and instructions for using the Dell
Diagnostics to test your computer and its components. The sections are summarized as follows:

"Introduction" — overview of the computer features and available upgrades
"Setup and Operation" — instructions on operating your computer
"Powering Your Computer" — instructions and options on how to power your computer
"Traveling With Your Computer" — suggestions on how to travel safely with your computer

"Drivers" — instructions on how to install driver software on your computer
"Customizing Your Computer" — instructions on accessing the System Setup program, power

management software, and the Suspend-to-Disk utility, all of which allow you to change system
settings affecting your computer's power conservation features

"Removing and Replacing Parts" — instructions on how to remove and install hard-disk drives and
memory modules

"Troubleshooting Your Computer" — initial checks and procedures that can be used to solve basic
computer problems, general guidelines on analyzing software problems, messages, and beep codes

"Technical Specifications" — reference material about the details of your computer
"Getting Help" — help tools Dell provides to assist you if you have a problem with the computer and

explains how and when to call Dell for technical assistance

Warranty and Return Policy Information

Dell Computer Corporation ("Dell") manufactures its hardware products from parts and components that are
new or equivalent to new in accordance with industry-standard practices.

For information about the Dell warranty and return policy, see the System Information guide that came with
your computer.

Other Documents You May Need

other options that appear on the monitor screen or display. They are presented in bold.

Besides this User's Guide, the following documentation is included with your computer:

NOTE: Documentation updates are sometimes included with your computer to describe changes to
your computer or software. Always read these updates before consulting any other documentation
because the updates contain the latest information.

An operating system Setup Guide, which describes how to set up the operating system installed on
your Dell computer.

Operating system documentation is included if you ordered your operating system from Dell. This
documentation describes how to configure and use your operating system software.

Documentation is included with any options you purchase separately from your computer. This
documentation includes information that you need to configure and install these options in your Dell
computer.

"Readme" files may be installed on your hard-disk drive to provide last-minute updates about technical
changes to your computer or advanced technical reference material intended for experienced users or
technicians.

Notational Conventions

The following subsections list notational conventions used in this document.

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

Throughout this guide, blocks of text may be accompanied by an icon and printed in bold type or in italic
type. These blocks are notes, notices, and cautions, and they are used as follows:

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 potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury.

Typographical Conventions

The following list defines (where appropriate) and illustrates typographical conventions used as visual cues
for specific elements of text throughout this document:

Interface components are window titles, button and icon names, menu names and selections, and

Example: Click OK.
Keycaps, the labeling that appears on the keys on a keyboard, are enclosed in angle brackets.

Example: <Enter>

Key combinations are series of keys to be pressed simultaneously (unless otherwise indicated) to
perform a single function.

Example: <Ctrl><Alt><Enter>
Commands presented in lowercase bold are for reference purposes only and are not intended to be

typed at that particular point in the discussion.

Example: "Use the setup command to . . . ."

In contrast, commands presented in the Courier New font are intended to be typed as part of an
instruction.

Example: "Type format to format the diskette in drive A."

Filenames and directory names are presented in lowercase bold.
Examples: autoexec.bat and c:\windows

Syntax lines consist of a command and all its possible parameters. Commands are displayed in
lowercase bold; variable parameters (those for which you substitute a value) are displayed in lowercase
italics; constant parameters are displayed in lowercase bold. The brackets indicate items that are
optional.

Example: del [drive:] [[path]filename] [/p]
Command lines consist of a command and may include one or more of the command's possible

parameters. Command lines are presented in the Courier New font.
Example: del c:\myfile.doc
Screen text is text that appears on the screen of your display or external monitor. It can be a system

message, for example, or it can be text that you are instructed to type as part of a command (referred
to as a command line). Screen text is presented in the Courier New font.

Example: The following message appears on your screen:

No boot device available

Variables are symbols for which you substitute a value. They are presented in italics.
Example: module n (where n represents the memory module number)

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Introduction: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H -Series/J-Series User's Guide

Overview Available Options
Features Getting Help

Overview

The Dell Latitude CPx H-Series/J-Series portable computers are expandable multimedia systems using the latest Intel® Mobile
Pentium® technology. In addition, the J-Series supports Intel SpeedStep™ technology. The CPx H-Series/J-Series computers
include the Dell DualPoint integrated pointing device, which provides a touch pad and a track stick to control the cursor on the
display screen. This section describes the major hardware and software features of your computer. Figure 1
front and back view of the computer, respectively.

Figure 1. Front View of the Computer

and Figure 2 show the

1 Touch pad
2 Keyboard
3 Track stick
4 Power button
5 Keyboard status LEDs
6 Display
7 Display latch
8 Air intake
9 Internal modem connector (available only on CPt S-

Series)

10 S-Video connector
11 Audio jacks (3)

12 Integrated microphone

13 Speaker
14 Modular bay
15 DualPoint buttons
16 Battery bay

Figure 2. Back View of the Computer

1 Fan
2 Video connector
3 Parallel connector
4 Status indicator panel
5 Docking connector
6 USB connector
7 PS/2 connector

8 Serial connector

9 AC adapter connector
10 Infrared port
11 Security cable slot
12 PC Card slots (2)
13 Hard-disk drive
14 Security cable slot
15 Speaker

Features

Your Dell computer has the following features:

Full multimedia capability through the following standard features:

A 14.1-inch extended graphics array (XGA), thin film transistor (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.

64-bit hardware-accelerated video support, with 8 megabytes (MB) of video memory.

Support for a zoomed video (ZV) PC Card in the lower PC Card connector.

used in some other batteries (such as watch batteries).

For H-Series computers, ESS Maestro 2E audio controller with hardware wavetable support and 3D surround sound.
For J-Series computers, ESS Maestro 3I audio controller with software wavetable support and 3D surround sound.
Three audio jacks for connecting external speakers or headphones, a microphone, and a record/playback device to

your computer.
Integrated microphone and two stereo speakers.

Accelerated graphics port (AGP) architecture that increases the computer's performance, particularly video
performance.

An ENERGY STAR® partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR
guidelines for energy efficiency.

A modular bay that supports a DVD-ROM drive, CD-ROM drive, CD-RW drive, diskette drive, second battery, second
hard-disk drive, or SuperDisk LS-120 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 "Modular Bay

."

A minimum of 32-MB synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) module is standard. You can increase
memory up to 512 MB by installing combinations of 32-, 64-, 128-, 192-, or 256-MB SDRAM modules in the two memory
module sockets on the system board.

NOTE: Your computer is capable of supporting two 256-MB SDRAM modules for a total of 512 MB of memory.

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 lower PC Card connector supports ZV PC Cards.

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 Family Advanced Port Replicator (APR) and the Dell Latitude
C/Dock Family Expansion Station.

A DualPoint integrated pointing device which includes both a touch pad and a track stick. These pointing devices are
positioned for both left- and right-handed users. The track stick is positioned in the keyboard to allow you to move the cursor
while keeping your fingers in a typing position. Two sets of left and right buttons, located above and below the touch pad,
mimic mouse buttons. You can also perform many pointing functions by tapping the touch pad or the track stick. Click-and­drag buttonless functions are also supported.

A lithium ion battery in the battery bay, with support for a second battery in the modular bay. The Dell ExpressCharge™
technology charges a single battery in approximately 1 hour (when the computer is off or in suspend mode).

NOTICE: 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 of 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

High-performance parallel and serial ports and a multipurpose Personal System/2 (PS/2) connector for attaching external
devices, 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 the use of 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.

Dell HyperCool™ an automatic thermal management system that uses a variable-speed fan, microprocessor speed changes,
and Intel's Remote Heat Exchanger technology to keep the system running at the optimum temperature.

CAUTION: Do not allow your Latitude portable computer to operate with the base resting directly on exposed skin.
With extended operation, heat can potentially build up in the base. Allowing sustained contact with the skin could
cause discomfort or, eventually, a burn.

The following software is included with your Dell computer:

The Microsoft® Windows® 95, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), or Windows NT® 4.0, Windows 2000 or higher operating
system is installed on your hard-disk drive. For more information, see your operating system documentation.

For Latitude CPx J-Series computers, the Intel SpeedStep technology is installed on your hard-disk drive.
The System Setup program lets you view and change the system configuration. For more information, see "Using the System

Setup Program."
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 them, see "Getting Help

" for the appropriate telephone number in your location.

Available Options

As your computing requirements change, you can extend your computer's capabilities with a C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family
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, a DVD-ROM
drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, an LS-120 drive module, and a second battery.

Dell offers the following devices and upgrade options:

C/Port Family APRs and C/Dock Family Expansion Stations
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
DVD-ROM drive modules
CD-RW drive modules
Second CD-ROM drive module

SuperDisk LS-120 drive modules
AC adapter
PC Cards
32-, 64-, 128-, 192-, and 256-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™ CPx H -Series/J-Series
User's Guide

AC Adapter PC Cards

Batteries Modular Bay

CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and CD-RW
Drives

Display Securing Your Computer

Diskette Drive Connecting External Devices

Keyboard I/O Connectors

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DualPoint Integrated Pointing Device

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Powering Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H -Series/J-Series
User's Guide

AC Adapter
Power Management Settings
Batteries

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Intel® SpeedStep™ Options: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J­Series User's Guide

Using Intel SpeedStep
Using the Adjust Properties Option
Setting the Advanced Options

Using Intel SpeedStep

The Intel SpeedStep technology, included with the Latitude CPx J-Series, allows you to set the performance
level of the processor whether the computer is running on battery or AC power.

To access the Intel SpeedStep properties window, perform the following steps:

1. Right click the flag icon in the system tray on the Windows® taskbar to access further performance
level options. The following three options appear:

Maximum Performance option — switches your computer to the highest possible
performance level even if the computer is running on battery

Battery Optimized Performance option — lets your computer run on performance level
optimized for battery power even if the computer is connected to an electrical outlet

Adjust Properties — lets you change the more performance options

2. To change the performance level, click the desired option.

To access the Intel SpeedStep options when the flag icon is not visible on the taskbar and if your computer is
running under ACPI, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button and point to Settings.

2. Click Control Panel.

3. Click Power Management.

4. Select the Intel SpeedStep tab and select the options desired.

5. After you make any changes, click OK to accept the settings and close the Intel SpeedStep window.

Using the Adjust Properties Option

1. To access the Intel SpeedStep option window, either right click the flag icon and click the Adjust
Properties option or double click the flag icon.

The Intel SpeedStep technology options window opens.

2. You can adjust the following performance options:

Automatically change performance when the power source changes (the default) —
changes the performance level of your computer automatically when it is running on battery
or connected to an electrical outlet.

Ask me before automatically changing performance — when selected, the computer
prompts you for confirmation before the computer changes performance level.

Running on batteries and Plugged in pull-down menus — change performance level
options.

3. Click Apply to accept the settings.

4. Click OK to close the Intel SpeedStep technology options window.

Setting the Advanced Options

The Advanced options lets you disable various options. To set Advanced options, perform the following
steps:

1. Click the flag icon in the Windows® system tray on the taskbar.

2. Click the Adjust Properties option.

The Intel SpeedStep window opens.

3. Click the Advanced button.
The Advanced window opens.

4. Click any of the following options:

Disable Intel SpeedStep technology control.
Remove flag icon.

Disable audio notification when performance changes.

5. Click Apply to accept the settings.

6. Click OK to close the Intel SpeedStep technology window.

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Traveling With Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H -Series/J­Series 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.

Dell recommends that you follow these precautions before you travel with your 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 Microsoft® 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. (For
instructions on using the appropriate text editor, see the documentation that came with your operating
system.)

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 an alphanumeric code 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, Dell suggests that you 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).

2. To make the computer as light as possible, remove the storage 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>.)

NOTICE: When you disconnect 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.

Disconnect the AC adapter.

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

6. Make sure that there is nothing on the keyboard and palmrest that can damage the display when you
close it. Then close 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 travel tips and take special precautions if you are planning to travel by air.

Accessories

You may want to take some of the following accessories with you when you travel:

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
DVD-ROM drive
LS-120 drive

CD-RW drive
Diskette drive and parallel cable for using the drive as an external device
Travel module

Traveling by Air

You may want to take the following precautions when you are traveling by air with your computer:

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.

NOTICE: 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.

Do not put the computer through a metal detector.

The computer can go through an airport X-ray security machine.
Before you use 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

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.

NOTICE: Do not use removable media drives while the computer is in motion. The vibrations could
interrupt the flow of data to and from the storage devices and the hard-disk drive or diskette drive.

from your government if you travel through many different countries.

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™ CPx H-Series/J -Series User's Guide

Installing Microsoft® Windows® 95 and Windows 98 Drivers
Installing Microsoft® Windows NT® Drivers
Installing Microsoft® Windows 2000 Drivers

NOTE: For more information on using the operating system installed on your computer by Dell, see
the operating system user's guide that came with your computer.

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Customizing Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J ­Series User's Guide

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

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Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J­Series User's Guide

Installing a Primary Hard-Disk Drive
Preparing to Remove or Install Memory Modules
Removing or Installing Memory Modules

Installing a Primary Hard-Disk Drive

NOTICE: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer before you remove 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. Remove the hard-disk drive from the drive bay.

Close the display and turn the computer over. Using a small Phillips-head screwdriver, remove the
screw (see Figure 1) that holds the drive carrier in the drive bay. Save the screw for use later in this
procedure.

Figure 1. Removing a Hard-Disk Drive

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

electricity. See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in your System Information Guide for
more information.

4. Remove the new hard-disk drive from its packaging.

Save the original packaging to use when you store or ship the hard-disk drive.

5. Install the new hard-disk drive into the computer (it comes in a drive carrier).

NOTICE: If the drive carrier does not slide in easily, pull it out and try again. To avoid damage, do
not force the drive carrier into the bay.

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

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

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 (S2D) partition.

NOTICE: Hard-disk drives are extremely fragile and must be handled carefully to avoid damage.
Follow these guidelines:

The primary hard-disk drive is installed in a metal carrier to protect the drive and make
installation easier. When you remove and install 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.

CAUTION: 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 you replace 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.

Preparing to Remove or Install Memory Modules

To prepare the computer for the removal or installation of memory modules, perform the following steps.

NOTES: If necessary, print these instructions for reference before proceeding.

NOTICE: Your portable computer does not support extended-data out (EDO) memory modules.
Only synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) modules are supported for use in
Dell Latitude CPx H-Series/J-Series computers.

NOTICE: Do not install memory modules while the computer is in suspend, standby, or suspend-to­disk mode.

NOTICE: 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.

1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets to
reduce the potential for personal injury or shock.

2. If the computer is docked, undock it.

3. Disconnect the AC adapter and any attached peripherals, including telephone or telecommunication

lines, from the computer.

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

Removing or Installing Memory Modules

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

1. Close the display, and turn the computer upside down.

2. Remove the memory module cover.

Locate the small rectangular indentation at one end of the memory module cover. Place the tip of
your finger under the cover by the indentation and firmly lift it up. When the door pops up, lift it up
to remove it and expose the memory modules underneath it.

3. 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 (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Removing a Memory Module

1 DIMM A

memory:

2 DIMM B

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

5. Install the new memory module into the appropriate slot.

NOTES: If you are installing a 192-MB memory module, be sure that it is inserted with the
double-stacked memory chips facing you. A 192-MB memory module inserted with the double­stacked memory chips facing down does not fit properly in the socket.

192-MB memory modules are designed for either the socket labeled DIMM A or the socket
labeled DIMM B. They are not interchangeable.

The socket labeled DIMM A should be populated before the socket labeled DIMM B. If you only
have one memory module, you should install it in the DIMM A socket. (See Figure 2

Memory modules are keyed, or designed to fit into their sockets in only one direction. The slots 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.

NOTICE: After installation, if the memory module cover does not fit or is difficult to close, you may
have installed the memory module improperly into the wrong slots. Remove the memory modules
and reinstall them. Do not force the memory module cover to close because you may damage your
computer.

6. Replace the memory module cover as follows:

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

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

b. Slide the cover into place and press down on it until you hear it click.

7. Reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.

As the computer boots, it detects the presence of additional memory and automatically updates
the system configuration information.

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

Click the Start button, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and double-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.

To run the System Setup program, press <Fn><F1> on the computer’s keyboard (or <Scroll
Lock><F1> on an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is enabled).

If the total amount of memory shown is incorrect, the memory module(s) may not be installed
properly. Repeat preparatory steps
until the memory total is correct.

9. Run the System Memory test of the Dell Diagnostics to confirm that all installed memory modules are
operating correctly.

10. Use the Suspend-to-Disk utility to update the S2D partition on your hard-disk drive. The S2D partition
stores system data while the computer is in suspend-to-disk mode.

1 through 4 and removal and installation steps 1 through 8

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Troubleshooting Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H -Series/J­Series User's Guide

Dell Diagnostics
Error Messages and Flash Codes

Back to Contents Page

Back to Contents Page

Technical Specifications: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J -Series
User's Guide

Processor Keyboard
Chip Set and Bus Battery
PC Cards AC Adapter
Memory Physical
Connectors Environmental (Computer)
Audio Touch Pad
Video Track Stick

14.1-Inch Display

Processor

Latitude CPx H-Series/J-Series Intel® Mobile Pentium® III microprocessor. For J-Series,

microprocessor includes Intel SpeedStep™ technology

Chip Set and Bus

System chip set Intel Mobile 440BX AGPset
Microprocessor data bus width 64 bits
DRAM bus width 64 bits
Address bus width 32 bits
Flash EPROM 4 Mb
AGP bus 66 MHz
PCI bus 33 MHz

PC Cards

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 be used only in the lower connector; the lower

connector supports zoomed video cards on systems using the

Microsoft® Windows® 95 or Windows 98 operating system)
Cards supported 3.3-V and 5-V
PC Card connector size 68 pins
Data width (maximum):

PCMCIA 16 bits

CardBus 32 bits

Memory

Architecture SDRAM
Memory module sockets two
Memory module capacities and type 32-, 64-, 128-, 192-, and 256-MB

3.3-V SDRAM

1

modules
Standard RAM 32-MB memory module
Maximum RAM 512 MB
Memory clock speed 100 MHz
Memory access time CL2 or CL3 (Note: CL3 indicates a CAS latency of 3 clocks)
BIOS address F000:0000-F000:FFFF

Connectors

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

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

Audio microphone-in jack;

line-in/audio-in jack;
headphones/speakers jack

USB USB-compliant connector

Docking connector for the C/Port Family Advanced Port

Replicator or C/Dock Family Expansion Station

S-Video 7-pin mini-DIN connector (an S-Video to composite video

Adapter is also included with the computer)

Audio

Audio type Sound Blaster (software emulation-capable)
Audio controller For the H-Series, ESS Maestro 2E; for the J-Series, ESS

Maestro 3I
Stereo conversion 16 bit (analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog)
Interfaces:

Internal PCI bus/AC97

External stereo line-in minijack;

microphone-in minijack;

headphones/speakers-out minijack
Speakers two 8-ohm speakers
Internal speaker amplifier 1 W channel into 8 ohms stereo
Controls volume can be controlled through key combinations, application

program menus, or the Speaker window in the Dell Control

Center (Windows 95 only)

Video

Video type 64-bit hardware-accelerated
Data bus 2X AGP
Video controller ATI Mobility M1
Video memory 8.0 MB

14.1-Inch Display

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

Height 214.3 mm (8.4 inches)