Dell Latitude CSx H User Manual

Dell™Latitude™CS/CS

Portable Computers User's Guide

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, Latitude, OptiPlex, Dimension, Inspiron, ExpressCharge, the DELL logo, 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 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.

Initial release: 25 Jun 1999 Last revised: 04 Nov 1999

Preface

Introduction

Setup and Operation

Powering Your Computer

Traveling With Your Computer

Drivers

Customizing Your Computer

Removing and Replacing Parts

Troubleshooting Your Computer

Technical Specifications

Getting Help

Back to Contents Page

AC Adapter: Dell™Latitude™CS/CSx Portable Computers User's Guide

Using the AC Adapter

The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. The AC adapter kit includes the AC adapter with its attached DC cable (which inputs power to the computer) as well as an AC power cable that connects to an electrical outlet.

You can connect the AC adapter with your computer either turned on or off. The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors vary among countries. Before you use AC power in a foreign

country, you may need to obtain a new power cable designed for use in that country. If the computer is docked to one of Dell's C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicators (APR) or C/Dock Family Expansion Stations, it obtains power

through the APR or expansion station, which must be connected to an electrical outlet.

Connecting the AC Adapter

1. ConnecttheACadapter'sattachedcableintothecomputer'sACadapterconnector(seeFigure 1).

2. Plug the AC power cable into the other end of the AC adapter.

3. Plug the AC power cable into an electrical outlet.

Figure 1. Connecting the AC Adapter

Turning On the Computer

To turn on the computer, press the power button.

Back to Contents Page

Using the AC Adapter

Connecting the AC Adapter

Turning On the Computer

NOTE: If you are running your computer on AC power with a battery installed, the AC adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then maintains the battery's charge.

NOTICE: The AC adapter should be in a ventilated area, such as on a desktop or on the floor, when used to power the computer or charge the battery. Do not use the AC adapter in a poorly ventilated environment, such as inside a carrying case.

ACadapter

AC adapter's attached cable

AC adapter connector

AC power cable

NOTE: If your computer's operating system is "locked up"—that is, it does not respond to commands—press and hold down the power button for at least five seconds to turn off the computer.

Back to Contents Page

Power Management Settings: Dell™Latitude™CS/CSx Portable Computers User's Guide

Experimenting With Power Conservation

In general, the lower the value you set for each power conservation feature, the longer the battery's charge lasts. On the other hand, setting high values tends to optimize the computer's performance.

To evaluate the way that different settings affect how long you can operate the computer on battery power versus the relative efficiency of how the software performs, experiment as follows:

l Use the computer with all the options set at their default values. l Use the computer with all the options disabled or set to Off. l Use the computer with all the options set to their minimum or maximum values.

Using Key Combinations

Table 1 identifies the power management key combinations.

Table 1. Key Combinations to Activate/Deactivate Features

* These key combinations do not function with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI).

Closing the Display

One way to conserve power on the computer is to close the display when the computer is not in use. When you close the display and an external

Experimenting With Power Conservation

Standby Mode

Using Key Combinations

Suspend-to-Disk Mode

Closing the Display

Power Management Properties for Microsoft Windows 98

Suspend Mode

Power Management Properties for Microsoft Windows NT

NOTE: To use key combinations on an external keyboard, enable the External Hot Key option in the System Setup program, and press <Scroll Lock> instead of <Fn>.

Feature

Activate/Deactivate

Turn off display

To activate, press <Fn><d>.* To deactivate, move the cursor or press a key on the integrated or external keyboard. (If nothing

happens, the computer may be in suspend or standby mode. Press the power button to resume normal operation.)

Turn off hard-disk drive

To activate, press <Fn><h>.* Automatically deactivates when the hard-disk drive is accessed.

NOTE: If a modular hard-disk drive is installed in the C/Dock media bay, you cannot turn off the hard-disk drive by pressing <Fn><h>.

Suspend mode

To activate, press <Fn><Esc>. To deactivate, press the power button.

Suspend-to-disk mode

To activate, press <Fn><a>. (On a French keyboard, press <Fn><q>.)* To deactivate, press the power button.

monitor is not connected, the computer's display shuts off and the computer enters suspend mode (standby mode in Microsoft®Windows®98).

To resume work, open the display. (The computer may take several seconds to resume operation.)

Suspend Mode

If your computer is running the Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT®operating system, suspend mode stops almost all computer activity, but leaves the computer ready to resume operations immediately in about 20 to 30 seconds. Use suspend mode whenever you leave the computer unattended.

NOTICE: Windows 95 and Windows NT save data to random-access memory (RAM), not to your hard-disk drive, before entering suspend mode. If the computer enters suspend mode while running on battery power, data loss from RAM can occur if the battery discharges completely.

Suspend mode conserves battery power by turning off the microprocessor clock; the display; the hard-disk drive; the CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or LS120 drive module (if installed); the external monitor connector; the external keyboard (if attached); the parallel port; the serial port; the touch pad; and the diskette drive.

You can enter suspend mode immediately by pressing <Fn><Esc> (or <Scroll Lock><Esc> on an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is enabled in the System Setup program).

When you enter suspend mode, the power indicator is not lit. Resume from suspend mode by pressing the power button. The computer may take several seconds to return to normal operation.

Standby Mode

If your computer is running the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system, standby mode turns off the display, stops the hard-disk drive, and turns off other internal devices so that the computer uses less battery power. When the computer resumes operation from standby mode, the desktop is restored exactly as it was before entering standby mode.

NOTICE: Windows 98 saves data to random-access memory (RAM), not to your hard-disk drive, before entering standby mode. If the computer enters standby mode while running on battery power, data loss from RAM can occur if the battery discharges completely.

You can enter standby mode by pressing <Fn><Esc>. To resume operation from standby mode, press the power button.

Suspend-to-Disk Mode

Suspend-to-disk (S2D) mode copies all system data to a reserved area—the S2D partition—on the hard-disk drive and then turns off all power to the computer. When you resume normal operation, the same programs will be running and the same files will be open that were loaded before you activated this mode.

Place the computer in S2D mode if you intend to store the computer for longer than 40 days. S2D mode preserves the configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). The reserve battery maintains this information, but it may run out of energy after 40 days.

If your system is running under Advanced Power Management (APM) mode, and if the External Hot Key option is enabled in the System Setup program, you can enter S2D mode by pressing <Fn><a> (or <Scroll Lock><a> on an external keyboard). On a French keyboard, press <Fn><q> or<ScrollLock><q>.*

Resume operation from S2D mode by pressing the power button. If you connect or remove devices while the computer is in S2D mode, the computer automatically recognizes the newly connected devices when it

resumes normal operation. Some PC Cards may not operate correctly after resuming from S2D mode. If you encounter problems with a card, remove and reinsert the card.

NOTE: If an external monitor is connected when you close the display, the computer does not activate suspend mode. You can still use the external monitor.

NOTES: On resumption from suspend mode, if a password is set, the computer displays the password prompt screen. At the password prompt screen, if you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to suspend mode.

Suspend mode is known as standby mode under the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system.

NOTE: S2D mode helps preserve system data by quickly saving it to the hard-disk drive if you are about to run out of battery power.

NOTE: Dell creates an appropriately sized S2D partition before shipping the computer to you. Use the S2D utility to remove the file, to increase the size of the file, or to add the S2D file if you removed it. For more information about altering or creating an S2D file, see the

* These key combinations may not function with future operating systems.

Power Management Properties for Windows 98

Windows 98 with Advanced Power Management (APM) provides the Power Management Properties window for setting power conservation features.

To access the Power Management Properties window and set the power management features, perform the following steps:

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

2. Double-click the Power Management Properties icon. The Power Management Properties window contains the following tabs:

l Power Scheme — allows you to change individual power management settings or select one of three power mode settings

(Always On, Home/Office Desk, or Portable/Laptop) that each provide a set of default power management settings.

l Alarms — allows you to set the Low Battery and Critical Battery alarms to alert you when the computer battery falls below a

certain percentage. When you received your computer, the Low Battery and Critical Battery alarm options were not checked. Dell recommends that you do not select these options.

l Power Meter — allows you to view the percentage of battery life remaining when your computer is operating on battery power. If

your computer is operating on AC power, the computer displays a message.

l Advanced — allows you to display the Power Meter on the Windows 98 taskbar and to display a password prompt when the

computer resumes operation from standby mode.

Power Management Properties for Microsoft Windows NT

Dell provides Softex software compatible with the Power Management Controller, which allows you to suspend and resume your portable computer without affecting your ability to use the docking station or its media bay.

For information about Softex power management software, see the Softex user’s guides at http://www.dell.com/products/notebook/latitude/NT40.htm and see your Dell-Installed Microsoft Windows NT Workstation Setup Guide.

Back to Contents Page

readme.S2D file, which can be found in the Dell Utilities folder on your hard-disk drive or on the S2D diskette that came with your computer.

Back to Contents Page

Batteries:Dell™Latitude™CS/CS

Portable Computers User's Guide

About the Batteries

Your computer includes a standard (34-watt/hour [WH]) or high-capacity (46-WH) lithium ion battery that provides power when an electrical outlet is not available. The battery is installed on the underside of the computer and forms part of the bottom of the computer. Lithium ion batteries are longer lived than conventional batteries and do not require replacement as often. Lithium ion batteries do not have the memory effect that is exhibited by nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCD) batteries. You do not need to drain a lithium ion battery completely before recharging it. A lithium ion battery will not forget at which point it is fully charged. NiMH and NiCD batteries may not charge fully if they are partially drained then recharged.

Do not place spent batteries with common household waste products. Contact local authorities for the location of a chemical waste collection program nearest you.

Keep the following information in mind when you are running your computer from the battery:

l From a fully charged standard battery you can expect between 2.5 and 3 hours of battery life; from a fully charged high-capacity battery, you

can expect up to 50 percent greater battery life. Actual performance varies, depending on which power management features are enabled and which application programs you are using.

l The integrated battery charge gauge lets you check the charge status of an installed or uninstalled battery at any time. l The battery’s self-test capability alerts you to battery conditions such as low charge. l There is no battery memory effect with lithium ion batteries — you can charge the battery whenever you like without fear of reducing its

charge capacity.

l A battery has a life span of up to 350 full charges and 2000 partial charges, provided it is charged at normal room temperature.

Using the Battery

The battery is partially charged when you receive it. Dell recommends that you charge your battery to full capacity before using it to power the computer.

If you are powering the computer from a battery, try to conserve battery power. A number of factors affect battery operating time:

l Power conservation features that you use l Type of display and microprocessor installed l Use of storage media l Number and type of PC Cards and other external devices that you use l Kinds of application programs that you run l Capacity of the memory modules that you install (the higher the capacity, the more power used)

When you activate suspend mode (known as standby in the Microsoft®Windows®98 operating system), the computer can remain in suspend mode on battery power for approximately one week (if the battery was fully charged before activating suspend or standby mode).

If you are going to store the computer, disconnect all devices and turn off the computer. Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery will drain when not in use during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully before

About the Batteries

First Low-Battery Warning

Using the Battery

Second Low-Battery Warning

Charging the Battery

Detecting Battery Problems

Charging a Hot Battery

Battery Disposal

Replacing the Battery

About Battery Power

Battery Charge Gauge

Turning On the Computer

NOTE: The battery is designed to work with Dell Latitude CS/CSx portable computers only. Do not use the battery with other computers, and do not use batteries from other computers with the Dell Latitude CS/CSx.

you attempt to run your computer from battery power.

Charging the Battery

Each time you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery in a computer that is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery's charge. The AC adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then maintains the battery's charge.

When installed in a computer connected to an electrical outlet, the battery immediately starts charging. The green power indicator remains steady while the AC adapter charges the battery. The indicator starts blinking when the express charge cycle is complete. While the indicator is blinking, the AC adapter provides a trickle charge to bring the battery to full capacity. The indicator continues to blink until you remove the battery or disconnect the computer from its electrical outlet.

NOTICE: If the battery status indicator flashes alternately green and amber while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, disconnect the computer from the outlet and allow the computer and the battery to return to room temperature. Then reconnect the computer to its electrical outlet and continue charging the battery. If the computer is not allowed to return to room temperature, the battery stops charging before it reaches full capacity.

If the computer is turned off and connected to an electrical outlet through the AC adapter, it takes the AC adapter about 1 hour and 20 minutes to fully charge a battery that has been completely discharged. If the computer determines that the battery is near full capacity, the AC adapter skips the express-charging process and starts trickle-charging the battery. If the computer is on, it takes up to 2.5 hours to charge a fully discharged battery, depending on which devices you are using and which programs you are running.

Charging a Hot Battery

Before you attempt to charge a battery that is hot (either from recent use or from being in a hot environment), note the following information:

l A hot battery will not charge when you connect the AC adapter to the computer. This safety feature is important because charging a hot

battery shortens the battery’s life span and may damage the battery and the computer.

l Ifthebatterystatusindicatorflashesalternatelygreenandamber,thebatteryistoohottostartcharging.Ifthisoccurs,disconnectthe

computer from its electrical outlet and allow it and the battery to return to room temperature. Reconnect the computer to the electrical outlet and continue charging the battery.

l If the computer is not allowed to return to room temperature, the battery stops charging before it reaches its full capacity.

Replacing the Battery

NOTICE: To avoid data loss, do not remove the battery while the computer is turned on unless the computer is connected to an electrical outlet .

To replace a battery in the battery bay, perform the following steps (see Figure 1).

1. If the computer is docked, undock it following your usual undocking procedure. (See the documentation that came with your docking device.)

2. If the computer is not docked, preserve your data in one of the following ways and then go to step 3.

l Connect the computer to an electrical outlet. l Place the computer in suspend (or standby) mode by pressing <Fn><Esc> (or <Scroll Lock><Esc> on an external keyboard if

the External Hot Key option is enabled in the System Setup program).

l Place the computer in S2D mode by pressing <Fn><a> (or <Fn><q> on a French keyboard). When the green power indicator

turns off, continue to step 3.

NOTICE: If you choose to replace the battery with the computer in suspend (or standby) mode, you have up to 4 minutes to complete the battery replacement.

3. Remove the battery from the battery bay.

NOTE:Formaximumbatteryperformance,chargethebatteryonlyatnormalroomtemperature.

NOTE: You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you like. The battery's integrated circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.

NOTES: If necessary, print these instructions for reference before proceeding. You cannot replace the battery while the computer is running on battery power. To replace the battery while the computer is running, you

must connect the computer to an electrical outlet or enter suspend (or standby) mode or suspend-to-disk (S2D) mode.

Close the computer display and turn the computer over. Slide the battery bay latch toward the unlock icon, causing the battery to pop up slightly on one side (see Figure 1). Continue to hold the latch in the unlock position with one hand while pivoting the battery up and out of the bay with the other hand. Release the latch.

Figure 1. Removing a Battery

4. Position the new battery so that its three alignment tabs fit into the three slots in the outside wall of the computer, and lower the battery into its

compartment. Make sure that the battery snaps into place, flush with the surrounding surface, and make sure that the battery latch is completely closed before turning the computer over.

5. If you put the computer into suspend mode or S2D mode in step 2, press the power button to resume normal operation.

Battery Charge Gauge

Thebatterychargegauge,locatedonthebatteryandaccessibleontheundersideofthecomputer,consistsoffiveindicatorsandatestbutton.

Each indicator represents 20 percent of full charge. If only one indicator lights up, recharge the battery before using it. To check the charge level, press the battery test button (see Figure 2). The appropriate number of indicators lights up for a few seconds to indicate

the amount of charge remaining in the battery. For example, if three indicators light up, your battery has between 40 percent and 60 percent of its charge left.

Figure 2. Battery Charge Gauge

Percentage of Charge

The battery charge gauge uses its five indicator lights to show the percent of charge remaining in the battery:

l If one indicator lights up, the battery has 1 to 20 percent of its charge remaining. l If two indicators light up, the battery has 21 to 40 percent of its charge remaining. l If three indicators light up, the battery has 41 to 60 percent of its charge remaining. l If four indicators light up, the battery has 61 to 80 percent of its charge remaining. l If five indicators light up, the battery has 81 to 100 percent of its charge remaining.

NOTES: An indicator that blinks rapidly indicates a temporary failure or a potentially recoverable failure like overheating. Allow the

batterytocoolforseveralminutesbeforecheckingthechargelevelagain.

If the battery has permanently failed or completely discharged, no charge gauge indicators will light when you press the battery test button. If you install a failed or completely discharged battery in the computer and the battery status indicator flashes amber rapidly, the battery has failed. If the battery status indicator turns solid green, allow the battery to charge overnight and check it the next day. If the battery is fully discharged, it takes a much longer time than usual to recharge it.

To purchase a new battery, call Dell or access the Dell World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com. Dispose of the old battery properly.

First Low-Battery Warning

The first low-battery warning—a blinking amber battery status indicator—occurs when you have about 15 minutes of battery life left under current conditions and the computer is not connected to an electrical outlet.

Figure 3. Battery Status Indicator



NOTICE: When you see a low-battery warning, save your work immediately. Then replace the battery or connect your computer to an electrical outlet.

Normally, if no input/output (I/O) activity occurs within 75 seconds after the first low-batterywarning,thecomputerentersS2D mode. If the computer has no S2D partition, the computer enters suspend (or standby) mode, where it can preserve data for several hours.

Alternatively, you may have set the computer to enter S2D mode after a certain amount of time with no I/O activity. In this case the computer enters S2D mode before flashing the final low-battery warning.

Once S2D mode is activated, no further power is consumed.

NOTICE: Never turn off the computer while the drive access indicator is on. Doing so could cause data loss. Instead, close all of your application programs before you turn off the computer.

Second Low-Battery Warning

The second low-battery warning—a steady amber battery status indicator—occurs when you have about 5 minutes of battery life left under current conditions and the computer is not connected to an electrical outlet.

After the second low-battery warning, if no further I/O activity occurs within 15 seconds, the computer enters S2D mode. If the computer has no S2D partition, it enters suspend mode, in which it can preserve data for several hours.

If the computer is already in suspend mode when a final low-battery warning occurs, the computer enters S2D mode immediately. If S2D mode has been disabled, the computer reenters suspend mode.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data (and possibly corrupting data areas on your hard-disk drive), save your work immediately after a second low-battery warning. Then connect your computer to an electrical outlet, or place the computer in suspend mode. If the battery runs completely out of power, the computer shuts off without properly closing any open files.

Detecting Battery Problems

A battery problem may prevent the battery from being charged to its full potential and can lead to unpredictable operation. To obtain a new battery,

call Dell or access the Dell World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com.

Dell suggests you follow these precautions when using the battery:

l To avoid installing a defective battery in your computer, first check the battery's charge, indicated by the battery charge indicators on the

battery itself, by pressing the battery test button (see Figure 2).

l If, after you insert the battery in the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see Figure 3) flashes alternately green and amber, the

battery is too hot to charge. Turn off the computer, and let the battery and computer cool to room temperature.

l If, after you insert the battery in the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see Figure 3) flashes amber for 4 seconds when you

connect or disconnect the AC adapter or when you press the power button, you need to replace the battery.

Battery status indicator

NOTE: If the battery has 0 (zero) percent charge, you cannot use the battery test button to check the battery's capacity. The

batterygaugeindicatorswillnotlightifthebatteryiscompletelydrained.

l If, after you insert the battery in the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see Figure 3) flashes rapidly amber, the battery is

defective and needs to be replaced.

Battery Disposal

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.

About Battery Power

You automatically conserve battery power each time you connect the computer to an electrical outlet. The battery is even being recharged when you use AC power. The battery's life expectancy is largely determined by the number of charges it receives, so use an electrical outlet to run the computer whenever possible.

You can customize power management by individually controlling the computer's power conservation features. These features reduce power consumption by monitoring application programs and computer devices for inactivity and slowing down or stopping some of the computer’s internal devices.

Experiment with power conservation features to achieve the optimum power conservation for your work environment.

Turning On the Computer

To turn on the computer, press the power button.

Back to Contents Page

CAUTION: Do not puncture or incinerate the battery.

NOTE: This computer is supplied with a lithium ion battery. Lithium ion batteries are longer lived than conventional batteries and do not require replacement as often. Do not place spent batteries in common household waste products. Contact local authorities for the location of a chemical waste collection program nearest you. To purchase a new battery, call Dell or access the Dell World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com.

NOTES: When you use power conservation features, you often trade some of the performance of the computer for increased battery operating time. For example, if you turn off the hard-disk drive, you may experience a delay the next time the computer tries to access the hard-disk drive.

Other power conservation features, such as suspend (or standby) mode, stop almost all system activity. They allow you to maximize power conservation when your work is interrupted.

NOTE: If your computer's operating system is "locked up"—that is, it does not respond to commands—press and hold down the power

buttonforatleastfivesecondstoturnoffthecomputer.

Back to Contents Page

CD-ROM and DVD-ROMDrives:Dell™Latitude™CS/CSx Portable Computers User's Guide

Using CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drives

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives are read-only devices that can play most commercially available 8- or 12-centimeter (cm) sound and video CDs. Dell installed the appropriate CD-ROM device drivers on your hard-diskdrive.DellalsoinstalledthedriversthatwillallowaDVD-ROM drive to play most CDs and read data from a DVD.

To use a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, install it in the computer’s external media bay.

NOTICE: Protect the CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives when they are not in the external media bay. Do not squeeze a drive or place objects on top of it; doing so could damage the drive motor. Keep the drive as clean as possible.

To play a CD or DVD, press the eject button on the face of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive or press <Fn><F10>. When the tray slides out, place the disc into the tray, label side up. Make sure that the CD or DVD is seated correctly on the spindle by pressing down on the disc until it clicks in place. Then gently push in the tray.

NOTICE: If the CD or DVD is not seated correctly, the disc or drive can be damaged. NOTICE: Do not use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive while the computer is in motion. Doing so could interrupt the flow of data

between the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive and the hard-disk or diskette drive.

When the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is in use, the drive access indicator blinks. If you are using the Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98 operating system, disable the autoplay feature while you use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM

drive. (The autoplay feature can interfere with the computer’s power management functions.) If Dell installed the operating system, the autoplay feature has been disabled. If you reinstall the operating system or if you installed it yourself, be sure to disable the autoplay feature if you want to use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

For instructions on changing the Auto Insert Notification option, see the operating system user’s guide.

Caring for CDs and DVDs

When handling and using CDs and DVDs, follow these precautions:

l Never use a damaged or warped CD or DVD. l Always hold the CD or DVD by its edges. Do not touch the surface of the disc. l Use a clean, dry cloth to remove dust, smudges, or fingerprints from the surface of the CD or DVD. When cleaning, wipe from the center of

the CD or DVD to the edge.

l Never use solvents, such as benzene, record cleaners, or antistatic sprays, to clean the CD or DVD. l Do not write on the surface of the CD or DVD. l Store CD or DVDs in their containers, placing them in a cool, dry place. Extreme temperatures may damage CDs or DVDs. l Do not bend or drop a CD or DVD. l Do not place objects on top of a CD or DVD.

Types of Supported Discs

Using CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drives

Caring for CDs and DVDs

Types of Supported Discs

NOTE: "Reading data" does not refer to playing a movie. However, if you are using the Microsoft®Windows®95 or Windows 98 operating system, you can play DVD movies in your DVD-ROM drive by installing a zoomed video (ZV) PC Card, such as a hardware Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) decoder, in the upper PC card slot. You must also install the drivers that came with the card.

Your computer's CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives are able to play the following disc formats:

l CD-ROM red-book audio discs (CD-DA) l CD-ROM yellow-book mode-1 and mode-2 data discs l CD-ROM XA (mode-2 form 1 and form 2; without Adaptive Differential Pulse Code modulation [ADPCM]) l CD-I (mode-2 form 1 and form 2) l CD-I Ready l CD-Bridge l Photo CD, CD-recordable (CD-R) (single and multisession) l Video CD l CD-rewritable (CD-RW). The 24x CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives support reading CD-RW discs. This format is supported as read-only;

neither the CD-ROM nor the DVD-ROM drive can write to CD-RW discs.

l DVD-5 (the DVD-ROM drive supports the DVD-5 format)

Back to Contents Page

ContactingDell:Dell™Latitude™CS/CS

Portable Computers User's Guide

Overview

When you need to contact Dell, use the telephone numbers, codes, and electronic addresses provided in the following sections. "International

Dialing Codes" provides the various codes required to make long-distance and international calls. "Americas Contact Numbers," "Europe Contact Numbers," and "Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers" provide local telephone numbers, area codes, toll-free numbers, and E-mail

addresses, if applicable, for each department or service available in various countries around the world. If you are making a direct-dialed call to a location outside of your local telephone service area, determine which codes to use (if any) in

"International Dialing Codes," in addition to the local numbers provided in the other sections. For example, to place an international call from Paris, France to Bracknell, England, dial the international access code for France followed by the

country code for the U.K., the city code for Bracknell, and then the local number as shown in the following illustration:

To place a long-distance call within your own country, use area codes instead of international access codes, country codes, and city codes. For example, to call Paris, France from Montpellier, France, dial the area code plus the local number as shown in the following illustration:

The codes required depend on where you are calling from as well as the destination of your call; in addition, each country has a different dialing protocol. If you need assistance in determining which codes to use, contact a local or an international operator.

International Dialing Codes

Click a listed country to obtain the appropriate contact numbers.

Overview

Europe Contact Numbers

International Dialing Codes

Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers

Americas Contact Numbers

NOTES: Toll-free numbers are for use only within the country for which they are listed. Area codes are most often used to call long distance within your own country (not internationally)—in other words, when your call originates in the same country you are calling.

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

Country (City)

International

Access Code

Country Code

City Code

Australia (Sydney)

0011

Austria (Vienna)

900

Belgium (Brussels)

Brazil

00215551

Brunei

—

673

—

Canada (North York, Ontario)

011

—

Not required

Chile (Santiago)

—

China (Xiamen)

—

592

Czech Republic (Prague)

420

Denmark (Horsholm)

009

Not required

Finland (Helsinki)

990

358

France (Paris) (Montpellier)

(1) (4)

Americas Contact Numbers

Germany (Langen)

6103

Hong Kong

001

852

Not required

Ireland (Bray)

353

Italy (Milan)

Japan (Kawasaki)

001

Korea (Seoul)

001

Luxembourg

352

—

Macau

—

853

Not required

Malaysia (Penang)

Mexico (Colonia Granada)

Netherlands (Amsterdam)

New Zealand

—

Norway (Lysaker)

095

Not required

Poland (Warsaw)

011

Singapore (Singapore)

005

Not required

South Africa (Johannesburg)

09/091

Spain (Madrid)

Sweden (Upplands Vasby)

009

Switzerland (Geneva)

Taiwan

002

886

—

Thailand

001

—

U.K. (Bracknell)

010

1344

U.S.A. (Austin, Texas)

011

Not required

Country (City)

Department Name or Service

Area

Code

Local Number or

Toll-Free Number

Brazil

Sales, Customer Support, Technical Support



toll free: 0800 90 3355

Canada (North York, Ontario)

NOTE: Customers in Canada call the U.S.A. for access to TechConnect BBS.

Automated Order-Status System



toll free: 1-800-433-9014

AutoTech (Automated technical support)



toll free: 1-800-247-9362

Customer Care (From outside Toronto)



toll free: 1-800-387-5759

Customer Care (From within Toronto)

416

758-2400

Customer Technical Support



toll free: 1-800-847-4096

Sales (Direct Sales—from outside Toronto)



toll free: 1-800-387-5752

Sales (Direct Sales—from within Toronto)

416

758-2200

Sales (Federal government, education, and medical)



toll free: 1-800-567-7542

Sales (Major Accounts)



toll free: 1-800-387-5755

TechConnect BBS (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-8528

TechFax



toll free: 1-800-950-1329

Chile (Santiago)

Sales, Customer Support, and Technical Support



toll free: 1230-020-4823

NOTE: Customers in Chile call the U.S.A. for sales, customer, and technical assistance

Latin America

NOTE: Customers in Latin America call the U.S.A. for sales, customer, and technical assistance.

Customer Technical Support (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-4093

Customer Service (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-3619

Fax (Technical Support and Customer Service) (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-3883

Sales (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-4397

SalesFax (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-4600 728-3772

Mexico (Colonia Granada)

NOTE: Customers in Mexico call the U.S.A. for access to the Automated Order-Status System and AutoTech.

Automated Order-Status System (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-0685

AutoTech (Automated technical support) (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

512

728-0686

Customer Technical Support

525

228-7870

Sales

525

228-7811 toll free: 91-800-900-37 toll free: 91-800-904-49

Customer Service

525

228-7878

Main

525

228-7800

U.S.A. (Austin, Texas)

Automated Order-Status System



toll free: 1-800-433-9014

AutoTech (Automated technical support)



toll free: 1-800-247-9362

Dell Home and Small Business Group:

Customer Technical Support (Return Material Authorization Numbers)



toll free: 1-800-624-9896

Customer Service (Credit Return Authorization Numbers)



toll free: 1-800-624-9897

National Accounts (systems purchased by established Dell national accounts [have your account number handy], medical institutions, or value-added resellers [VARs]):

Customer Service and Technical Support (Return Material Authorization Numbers)



toll free: 1-800-822-8965

Public Americas International (systems purchased by governmental agencies [local, state, or federal] or educational institutions):

Customer Service and Technical Support (Return Material Authorization Numbers)



toll free: 1-800-234-1490

Dell Sales



toll free: 1-800-289-3355 toll free: 1-800-879-3355

Europe Contact Numbers

Spare Parts Sales



toll free: 1-800-357-3355

DellWare™



toll free: 1-800-753-7201

DellWare FaxBack Service

512

728-1681

Fee-Based Technical Support



toll free: 1-800-433-9005

Sales (Catalogs)



toll free: 1-800-426-5150

Fax



toll free: 1-800-727-8320

TechFax



toll free: 1-800-950-1329

TechConnect BBS

512

728-8528

Dell Services for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or Speech-Impaired



toll free: 1-877-DELLTTY

(1-877-335-5889)

Switchboard

512

338-4400

Country (City)

Department Name or Service

Area

Code

Local Number or

Toll-Free Number

Austria

(Vienna)

NOTE: Customers in Austria call Langen, Germany for Technical Support and Customer Care.

Switchboard

491 040

Home/Small Business Sales01795676-02

Home/Small Business Sales Fax01795676-05

Home/Small Business Customer Care

795676-03

Preferred Accounts/Corporate Customer Care



0660-8056

Home/Small Business Technical Support

795676-04

Preferred Accounts/Corporate Technical Support



0660-8779

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/at



E-mail: tech_support_germany@dell.com



Belgium (Brussels)

Technical Support

481 92 88

Customer Care

481 91 19

Home/Small Business Sales



toll free: 0800 16884

Corporate Sales

481 91 00

Fax

481 92 99

Switchboard

481 91 00

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/be



E-mail: tech_be@dell.com



Czech Republic

(Prague)

Technical Support

22 83 27 27

Customer Care

22 83 27 11

Fax

22 83 27 14

TechFax

22 83 27 28

Switchboard

22 83 27 11

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/cz



E-mail: czech_dell@dell.com



Denmark (Horsholm)

NOTE: Customers in Denmark call Sweden for fax

Technical Support



45170182

Customer Care



45170181

Switchboard



45170100

Fax Technical Support (Upplands Vasby, Sweden)



859005594

technical support.

Fax Switchboard



45170117

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/dk



E-mail: den_support@dell.com



Finland (Helsinki)



Technical Support

253 313 60

Technical Support Fax

253 313 81

Customer Care

253 313 61

Fax

253 313 99

Switchboard

253 313 00

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/fi



E-mail: fin_support@dell.com



France (Paris/Montpellier)

Technical Support

0803

387 270

Customer Care (Paris)

47 62 68 92

Customer Care (Montpellier)

67 06 61 96

TechConnect BBS (Montpellier)

67 22 53 04

Fax (Montpellier)

67 06 60 07

Switchboard (Paris)

47 62 69 00

Switchboard (Montpellier)

67 06 60 00

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/fr



E-mail: web_fr_tech@dell.com



Germany (Langen)

Technical Support

06103

971-200

Technical Support Fax

06103

971-222

Home/Small Business Customer Care

06103

971-530

Corporate Customer Care

06103

971-560

Preferred Accounts Customer Care

06103

971-420

TechConnect BBS

06103

971-666

Switchboard

06103

971-0

Web site: http://www.dell.de/support



E-mail: tech_support_germany@dell.com



Ireland (Bray)

NOTE: Customers in Ireland call the U.K. for Home/Small Business customer assistance.

Technical Support



1-850-543-543

Customer Care

204 4026

Home/Small Business Customer Care (Bracknell, U.K.)



0870 906 0010

Sales



1-850-235-235

SalesFax

286 2020

Fax

286 6848

TechConnect BBS

204 4711

TechFax

204 4708

Switchboard

286 0500

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/ie



E-mail: dell_direct_support@dell.com



Italy (Milan)

Technical Support

57782.690

Customer Care

57782.555

Sales

57782.411

Fax

57503530

Switchboard

57782.1

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/it



E-mail: support_italy@dell.com



Luxembourg

NOTE: Customers in Luxembourg call Belgium for sales, customer, and technical assistance.

Technical Support (Brussels, Belgium)

481 92 88

Home/Small Business Sales (Brussels, Belgium)



toll free: 080016884

Corporate Sales (Brussels, Belgium)

481 91 00

Customer Care (Brussels, Belgium)

481 91 19

Switchboard (Brussels, Belgium)

481 91 00

Fax (Brussels, Belgium)

481 92 99

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/be



E-mail: tech_be@dell.com



Netherlands (Amsterdam)

Technical Support

020

581 8838

Customer Care

020

581 8740

Home/Small Business Sales



toll free: 0800-0663

Home/Small Business SalesFax

020

682 7171

Corporate Sales

020

581 8818

Corporate SalesFax

020

686 8003

Fax

020

686 8003

Switchboard

020

581 8818

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/nl



Norway (Lysaker)

NOTE: Customers in Norway call Sweden for fax technical support.

Technical Support



671 16882

Customer Care



671 16881

Switchboard



671 16800

Fax Technical Support (Upplands Vasby, Sweden)



590 05 594

Fax Switchboard



671 16865

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/no



E-mail: nor_support@dell.com



Poland (Warsaw)

Technical Support

60 61 999

Customer Care

60 61 999

Sales

60 61 999

Switchboard

60 61 999

Fax

60 61 998

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/pl



E-mail: pl_support@dell.com



Spain (Madrid)

Technical Support



902 100 130

Corporate Customer Care



902 118 546

Home/Small Business Customer Care



902 118 540

TechConnect BBS

329 33 53

Corporate Sales



902 100 185

Home/Small Business Sales



902 118 541

Switchboard

91

722 92 00

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/es



E-mail: es_support@dell.com



Sweden (Upplands Vasby)

Technical Support

590 05 199

Customer Care

590 05 169

Fax Technical Support

590 05 594

Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers

Sales

590 05 185

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/se



E-mail: swe_support@dell.com



Switzerland (Geneva)

Technical Support



0844 811 411

Customer Care



0848 802 802

Switchboard

022

799 01 01

Fax

022

799 01 90

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/ch



E-mail: swisstech@dell.com



U.K. (Bracknell)

Technical Support



0870-908-0800

Corporate Customer Care

01344

720206

Home/Small Business Customer Care



0870-906-0010

TechConnect BBS



0870-908-0610

Sales

01344

720000

AutoFax



0870-908-0510

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/uk



E-mail: dell_direct_support@dell.com



Country (City)

Department Name or Service

Area

Code

Local Number or

Toll-Free Number

Australia

(Sydney)

CustomerTechnicalSupport(Dell™Dimension™

systems only)



1-300-65-55-33

Customer Technical Support (Other systems)



toll free: 1-800-633-559

Customer Care



toll free: 1-800-819-339

Corporate Sales



toll free: 1-800-808-385

Transaction Sales



toll free: 1-800-808-312

Fax



toll free: 1-800-818-341

Brunei

NOTE: Customers in Brunei call Malaysia for customer assistance.

Customer Technical Support (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4966

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4949

Transaction Sales (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4955

China (Xiamen)

Customer Service



toll free: 800 858 2437

Sales



toll free: 800 858 2222

Hong Kong

NOTE: Customers in Hong Kong call Malaysia for customer assistance.

Technical Support



toll free: 800 96 4107

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4949

Transaction Sales



toll free: 800 96 4109

Corporate Sales



toll free: 800 96 4108

Japan (Kawasaki)

Technical Support



toll free: 0088-22-7890

Technical Support (Server)



toll free: 0120-1984-35

TechnicalSupport(DimensionandInspiron™)



toll free: 0120-1982-56

TechnicalSupport(WorkStation,OptiPlex™,and Latitude™)



toll free: 0120-1984-39

Y2K Support

044

556-4298

Customer Care

044

556-4240

Direct Sales

044

556-3344

Commercial Sales

044

556-3430

556-3440

Faxbox Service



03-5972-5840

Switchboard

044

556-4300

Korea (Seoul)

NOTE: Customers in Korea call Malaysia for customer assistance.

Technical Support



toll free: 080-200-3800

Transaction Sales



toll free: 080-200-3600

Corporate Sales



toll free: 080-200-3900

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4949

Fax



394 3122

Switchboard



287 5600

Macau

NOTE: Customers in Macau call Malaysia for customer assistance.

Technical Support



toll free: 0800 582

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4949

Transaction Sales



toll free: 0800 581

Malaysia (Penang)

Technical Support



toll free: 1 800 888 298

Customer Service

810 4949

Transaction Sales



toll free: 1 800 888 202

Corporate Sales



toll free: 1 800 888 213

New Zealand

Technical Support (Dell Dimension systems only) ($2.50 + GST per call)



0900 51010

Technical Support (Other systems)



0800 446 255

Customer Service



0800 444 617

Sales



0800 441 567

Fax



0800 441 566

Singapore (Singapore)

NOTE: Customers in Singapore call Malaysia for customer assistance.

Technical Support



toll free: 800 6011 051

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)

810 4949

Transaction Sales



toll free: 800 6011 054

Corporate Sales



toll free: 800 6011 053

South Africa (Johannesburg)

Technical Support

011

709 7710

Customer Care

011

709 7710

Sales

011

706 7700

Fax

011

709 0495

Switchboard

011

709 7700

Web site: support.euro.dell.com/za



E-mail: dell_za_support@dell.com



Southeast Asian/Pacific Countries

(excluding Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore,

Customer Technical Support, Customer Service, and Sales (Penang, Malaysia)



60 4 810-4810

Back to Contents Page

Taiwan, and Thailand—refer to individual listings for these countries)

Taiwan

NOTE: Customers in Taiwan call Malaysia for customer assistance.

Technical Support



toll free:

0080 651 226/0800 33 557

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4949

Transaction Sales



toll free:

0080 651 228/0800 33 556

Corporate Sales



toll free:

0080 651 227/0800 33 555

Thailand

NOTE: Customers in Thailand call Malaysia for customer assistance.

Technical Support



toll free: 0880 060 07

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)



810 4949

Sales



toll free: 0880 060 06

Back to Contents Page

CustomizingYourComputer:Dell™Latitude™CS/CS

Portable Computers User's

Guide

Back to Contents Page

Using the System Setup Program

System Setup Options

Power Management Settings

Suspend-to-Disk Utility

Back to Contents Page

Dell™Diagnostics:DellLatitude™CS/CS

Portable Computers User's Guide

Overview

Unlike many diagnostic programs, the Dell Diagnostics helps you check your computer's hardware without any additional equipment and without destroying any data. By using the diagnostics, you can have confidence in your computer's operation. And if you find a problem you cannot solve by yourself, the diagnostic tests can provide you with important information you will need when talking to Dell's service and support personnel.

NOTICE: Use the Dell Diagnostics to test only your Dell computer. Using this program with other computers may cause incorrect computer responses or result in error messages.

Features of the Dell Diagnostics

The Dell Diagnostics provides a series of menus and options from which you choose particular test groups or subtests. You can also control the sequence in which the tests are run. The diagnostic test groups or subtests also have these helpful features:

l Options that let you run tests individually or collectively l An option that allows you to choose the number of times a test group or subtest is repeated l The ability to display or print out test results, or to save them in a file l Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected, or to terminate testing when an adjustable error limit is reached l A Devices menu that briefly describes each test and its parameters l A Config menu that describes the configuration of the devices in the selected device group l Status messages that inform you whether test groups or subtests were completed successfully l Error messages that appear if any problems are detected

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Whenever a major component or device in your computer does not function properly, you may have a component failure. As long as the microprocessor and the input and output components of your computer (the display, keyboard, and diskette drive) are working, you can use the Dell Diagnostics. If you are experienced with computers and know what component(s) you need to test, simply select the appropriate diagnostic test group(s) or subtest(s). If you are unsure about how to begin diagnosing a problem, read the rest of this section.

Before You Start Testing

If Dell installed the Microsoft®Windows®95 or Windows 98 operating system on your computer's hard-disk drive, see the online help in Dell's

Program Diskette Maker utility, which is available in the Dell Accessories group or folder, for instructions on making a program diskette set from the diskette image.

Refer to your operating system's documentation for information on how to duplicate diskettes. Put the original diskette away for safekeeping. Turn on your printer if one is attached, and make sure it is online. Enter the System Setup program, confirm your computer's system configuration information, and enable all its components and devices, such as ports.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

After you complete the preliminary instructions specified in "Before You Start Testing," perform the following steps to start the diagnostics:

Overview

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

Features of the Dell Diagnostics

Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Overview

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Confirming the System Configuration Information

Before You Start Testing

How to Use Dell Diagnostics

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Insert the first diagnostics diskette into the diskette drive.

3. Turn on the computer.

When you start the diagnostics, the Dell logo screen appears, followed by a message telling you that the diagnostics is loading. Follow the screen

promptstoinsertthesecondandthirddiskettes.

After the diagnostics loads, the Diagnostics Menu appears (see Figure 1). The menu allows you to run all or specific diagnostic tests or to exit to the MS-DOS®prompt.

For a quick check of your computer, select Quickly Test All Devices. This option runs only the subtests that do not require user interaction and that do not take a long time to run. Dell recommends that you choose this option first to increase the odds of tracing the source of the problem quickly. For a thorough check of your computer, select Fully Test All Devices. To check a particular area of your computer, select Select Devices to Test.

To select an option from this menu, highlight the option and press <Enter>, or press the key that corresponds to the highlighted letter in the option you choose.

Figure 1. Diagnostics Menu

Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Overview

When you select Select Devices to TestfromtheDiagnostics Menu, the main screen of the diagnostics appears (see Figure 2). The main screen lists the diagnostic test device groups, lists the devices of the selected device group, and allows you to select categories from a menu. From this screen, you can enter two other types of screens.

Information on the main screen of the diagnostics is presented in the following five areas:

l Two lines at the top of the screen identify the version number of the Dell Diagnostics. l On the left side of the screen, the Device Groups area lists the diagnostic test groups in the order they will run if you select All from the Run

tests menu. Press the up- or down-arrow key to highlight a test device group.

l On the right side of the screen, the Devices for Highlighted Group area lists the computer's currently detected hardware and some of the

relevant settings.

l The lower-right side of the screen displays information about your drive(s). l Two lines at the bottom of the screen make up the menu area. The first line lists the categories you can select; press the left- or right-arrow

key to highlight a menu category. The second line gives information about the category currently highlighted.

Figure 2. Dell Diagnostics Main Screen

NOTE: Before you read the rest of this subsection, you may want to start the Dell Diagnostics so that you can see it on your display.

NOTE: The options displayed on your screen should reflect the hardware configuration of your computer.

Confirming the System Configuration Information

When you boot your computer from your diagnostics diskette, the diagnostics checks your system configuration information and displays it in the Device Groups area on the main screen.

The following sources supply this configuration information for the diagnostics:

l The system configuration information settings (stored in nonvolatile random-access memory [NVRAM]) that you selected while using the

System Setup program

l Identification tests of the microprocessor, the video controller, the keyboard controller, and other key components l Basic input/output system (BIOS) configuration information temporarily saved in RAM

Do not be concerned if the Device Groups area does not list the names of all the components or devices you know are part of your computer. For example, you may not see a printer listed, although you know one is attached to your computer. Because your printer is a parallel communications device, the computer recognizes the printer by its LPT1 address and identifies it as a parallel port. You can test your printer connection in the

Parallel Portstests.

How to Use Dell Diagnostics

Six comprehensive, menu-driven, online Help categories provide instructions on how to use the program and explain each menu item, test group, subtest, and test and error result. To enter the Help menu, perform the following steps:

1. Highlight Select Devices to Test in the Diagnostics Menu.

2. Press <Enter>.

3. Press <h>.

The Help menu categories are Menu, Keys, Device Group, Device, Test, and Versions. The online Help also provides detailed descriptions of the devices that you are testing. The Help categories are explained in the following subsections.

Menu Category Menu describes the main menu screen area, the Device Groups, and the different diagnostic menus and commands and instructions on how to

use them.

Keys Category Keys explains the functions of the all of the keystrokes that can be used in Dell Diagnostics.

Device Group Category

Device Group describes the test group that is presently highlighted in the Device Groups list on the main menu screen. It also provides

reasoning for using some tests.

Device Category DeviceistheeducationalsectionofonlineHelp.ItdescribesthefunctionandpurposeofthehighlighteddeviceintheDevice Groups. For example, the following information appears when you select DeviceforDiskette in the Device Groups list:

Diskette drive A:

The diskette disk drive device reads and writes data to and from diskettes. Diskettes are flexible recording media, sometimes contained in hard shells. Diskette recording capacities are small and access times are slow relative to hard disk drives, but they provide a convenient means of storing and transferring data.

Test Category Test provides a thorough explanation of the subtest for each selected device group. For example, the following description is provided for the

Diskette Drive Seek Test:

Diskette drive A: - Diskette Drive Seek Test

This test verifies the drive's ability to position its read/write heads. The test operates in two passes: first, seeking from the beginning to ending cylinders inclusively, and second, seeking alternately from the beginning to ending cylinders with convergence towards the middle.

Versions Category Versions lists the version numbers of the subtests that are used by the Dell Diagnostics.

Back to Contents Page

Diskette Drive: Dell™Latitude™CS/CSx Portable Computers User's Guide

Your computer was shipped with a 3.5-inch diskette drive installed in the external media bay. For more information on using and installing devices in the external media bay, see "Using the External Media Bay."

The diskette drive lets you install programs and transfer data using 3.5-inch diskettes. To use the diskette drive, insert a 3.5-inch diskette into the drive (label side up and metal end first). Push the diskette into the drive until the eject

button extends outside the drive casing. NOTICE: Do not travel with a diskette in the diskette drive. Doing so could break the eject button and damage the drive. To remove a diskette from the drive, press the eject button to release the diskette, and then pull the diskette out of the drive. When data is being accessed from the diskette drive, the drive access indicator blinks.

Back to Contents Page

NOTE: As an alternative diskette drive configuration, you can connect the diskette drive to the parallel connector on the back of the computer using an optional cable available from Dell. If you are running either the Microsoft®Windows®95 or Windows 98 operating system on your computer and the Diskette Reconfig option is enabled in the System Setup program, you do not have to reboot the computer when you connect the diskette drive to the parallel connector. If you are running the Microsoft Windows NT®operating system on your computer, reboot the computer after you connect the diskette drive.

Back to Contents Page

Display: Dell™Latitude™CS/CSx Portable Computers User's Guide

Adjusting the Brightness

To adjust the brightness of the display, you can use the key combinations shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Brightness Key Combinations and Their Functions

Expanded Video Mode

When working in text mode, you can select the font used to display text. Press <Fn><F7> to toggle between regular video mode and expanded video mode. In expanded video mode, items in resolutions other than 1024 x 768 expand to fill the screen, which is useful if you are working in 800 x 600 resolution on a 13.3-inch extended graphics array (XGA) display.

Video Drivers and Video Resolution

The Dell-installed video drivers work with the operating system to let you customize the video resolution, number of screen colors, and refresh rate of your display.

Table 2. Combinations of Resolutions and Colors Supported

Adjusting the Brightness

Customizing Video Resolution

Expanded Video Mode

Dual-Display Mode

Video Drivers and Video Resolution

If You Have Display Problems

NOTE: When you run the computer on battery power, set your computer's brightness control to the lowest setting that affords comfortable viewing. You can extend your battery life by using the minimum brightness setting.

Key Combinations

Function

<Fn> + down arrow

Decreases brightness

<Fn> + up arrow

Increases brightness

<Fn> + right arrow

Has no effect on this computer

<Fn> + left arrow

Has no effect on this computer

NOTES: You cannot change contrast on an active-matrix (thin film transistor [TFT]) display, such as your computer's display. (Contrast adjustments are only necessary on older passive-matrix displays.)

To use key combinations on an external keyboard, enable the External Hot Key option in the System Setup program and use <Scroll Lock> instead of <Fn>.

NOTES: You may have difficulty using the display fonts feature with MS-DOS®programs that use downloaded fonts. For optimum video performance in these cases, do not use expanded video mode.

NOTE: The Dell-installed video drivers are designed to offer the best performance on your computer. Dell recommends that you use only these drivers with your factory-installed operating system.

Resolution

Colors

Bits

Display Refresh Rate

External Monitor Refresh Rate

* In this resolution, the display is set to pan mode. To use 1280 x 1024 resolution, set the external monitor to Plug and Play Monitor as described in the following procedures.

For Windows 95, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start,button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Display icon.

3. Click the Settings tab, click Advanced Properties, and click the Monitor tab.

4. Click Change..., click Plug and Play Monitor, and click OK twice.

5. Set Display area to 1280 x 1024, and click OK.

For Windows 98, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Display icon.

3. Click the Settings tab, click Advanced..., and click the Monitor tab.

4. Click Change..., click Next, and click Display a list of all the drivers.

5. Click Next, and click Show all hardware.

6. Under Manufacturers, click (Standard monitor types).

7. Under Models, click Plug & Play Monitor; and click Next.

8. Click Next again, click Finish, and click Close.

9. At the Display Properties screen, set Screen area to 1280 x 1024, and click Apply.

10. Click OK , click Yes, and click OK.

To display more colors, select a lower resolution. If you select a resolution and color combination that the computer does not support, the computer automatically selects the next supported combination.

Customizing Video Resolution

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears.

2. Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties window appears.

3. Click the Settings tab, and then set the resolution by dragging the slider in the Desktop Area box. In the Color Palette box, choose the number of colors from the menu provided. For more information, see your operating system documentation.

If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than is supported, the settings adjust automatically to the closest possible setting.

4. To change the refresh rate, click the NeoMagic tab, and then follow the instructions on your display.

640 x 480

256 860 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

65,536 (64 K)

16 (High Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1677721 (16 Million)

24 (True Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

800 x 600

256 8 60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

65,536 (64 K)

16 (High Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1677721 (16 Million)

24 (True Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1024 x 768

256 860 Hz

60 Hz, 70 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

65,536 (64 K)

16 (High Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 70 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1677721 (16 Million)

24 (True Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 70 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1280 x 1024*

256860 Hz

60 Hz

NOTE: You can adjust the refresh rate only on an external monitor. If the NeoMagic tab is inactive, your external monitor adjusts the refresh rate automatically.

Dual-Display Mode

With Microsoft®Windows®98 and later operating systems, you can use an external monitor as an extension of your display (see your operating systemdocumentationformoreinformation).Tosetupyourcomputerfordual-display mode, perform the following steps:

1. Connect the external monitor.

2. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

3. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Display icon.

4. In the Display Properties window, click the Settings tab.

5. Change the Colors option to High Color (16 bit).

6. Change the Desktop Area to 1024 by 768 pixels.

7. Click Advanced....

8. Click the NeoMagic tab.

9. Select the Set Dual-Display checkbox and click Apply.

10. Click Yes when prompted to restart your computer.

11. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

12. Double-click Display, and then click the Settings tab. Two display icons appear in the Settings window.

13. Click the display icon marked "2."

14. When asked if you want to enable this monitor, click Yes.

15. Click Apply, and then click OK.

If You Have Display Problems

If your computer is receiving power, but nothing appears on your display (such as light, text, or graphics) or the display image does not appear as you would expect, try the following measures to resolve the problem:

1. If the display is blank, you may be in suspend, standby, or suspend-to-disk mode. Press the power button to resume. If the display is blank and the power indicator is on, the display may have timed out. In this case, press any key on the keyboard to resume normal operation.

2. If the low-battery warning occurs, connect the AC adapter to the computer or replace the battery.

3. Adjust the brightness.

4. If your computer is attached to an external monitor, press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image to the display.

Back to Contents Page

NOTE: It takes several seconds to switch the video image.

+ 75 hidden pages