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Contents
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . .5
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . 5
This section provides information about setting
up your Dell™ Inspiron™ laptop.
Before Setting Up Your
Computer
When positioning your computer, ensure that
you allow easy access to a power source,
adequate ventilation, and a level surface to
place your computer.
Restricting airflow around your Inspiron
laptop may cause it to overheat. To prevent
overheating ensure that you leave at least
10.2 cm (4 inches) at the back of the computer
and a minimum of 5.1 cm (2 inches) on all other
sides. You should never place your computer in
an enclosed space, such as a cabinet or drawer
when it is powered on.
WARNING: Do not block, push objects
into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air
vents. Do not place your Dell™ computer
in a low-airflow environment, such as a
closed briefcase, while it is powered on.
Restricting the airflow can damage the
computer or cause a fire. The computer
turns on the fan when the computer gets
hot. Fan noise is normal and does not
indicate a problem with the fan or the
computer.
CAUTION: Placing or stacking heavy or
sharp objects on the computer may result
in permanent damage to the computer.
5
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the AC Adapter
Connect the AC adapter to the computer and then plug it into an electrical outlet or surge protector.
WARNING: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power
connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or
improperly connecting the cable to a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or
permanent damage to your computer.
6
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
To use a wired network connection, connect the network cable.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
7
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Press the Power Button
8
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up the Operating System
Your Dell computer is preconfigured with the operating system you selected at the time of purchase.
Set Up Microsoft® Windows
To set up Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are
mandatory and may take some time to complete. The Windows setup screens will take you through
several procedures including accepting license agreements, setting preferences, and setting up an
Internet connection.
CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing so may render your
computer unusable and you will need to reinstall the operating system.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you download and install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer available at support.dell.com.
NOTE: For more information on the operating system and features, see
support.dell.com/MyNewDell.
Set Up Ubuntu
To set up Ubuntu® for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. See the Ubuntu
documentation for more operating system specific information.
®
9
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Create System Recovery Media (Recommended)
NOTE: It is recommended that you create a system recovery media as soon as you set up
Microsoft Windows.
The system recovery media can be used to restore your computer to the operating state it was in
when you purchased the computer, while preserving data files (without the need of the
System
disc). You can use the system recovery media if changes to the hardware, software, drivers,
or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state.
You will require the following to create the system recovery media:
Dell DataSafe Local Backup•
USB key with a minimum capacity of 8 GB or DVD-R/DVD+ R/Blu-ray Disc•
NOTE: Dell DataSafe Local Backup does not support rewritable discs.
™
10
Operating
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To create a system recovery media:
Ensure that the AC adapter is connected (see “Connect the AC Adapter” on page 1. 6).
Insert the disc or USB key in the computer.2.
Click 3. Start→ Programs→ Dell DataSafe Local Backup.
Click 4. Create Recovery Media.
Follow the instructions on the screen.5.
NOTE: For information on using the system recovery media, see “System Recovery Media”
on page 59.
11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)
12
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
NOTE: The wireless feature is available on your computer only if you ordered a WLAN card
at the time of purchase. For more information on the cards supported by your computer, see
“Specifications” on page 72.
To enable wireless:
Ensure that your computer is turned on.1.
Press the wireless key 2. on the keyboard.
A confirmation of your selection appears on the screen.
Wireless enabled
Wireless disabled
To disable wireless:
Press the wireless key on the keyboard again to turn off all radios.
NOTE: The wireless key allows you to quickly turn off wireless radios, such as when you are
asked to disable all wireless radios on an airplane flight.
13
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up Wireless Display
(Optional)
NOTE: Wireless display may not be
supported on all computers.
Wireless display can only be set up on
computers with:
ProcessorsIntel® Core™ i3 and above
Video
controller
WLAN cardIntel® Centrino® 6200 or
Operating
system
DriverDownload and install the latest
14
Intel HD graphics
Intel Centrino Advanced-N +
WiMAX 6250
Windows 7® Home Premium,
Professional, or Ultimate
driver for “Intel Wireless
Display Connection Manager”
available at support.dell.com.
To set up wireless display on your computer:
Ensure that your computer is turned on.1.
Ensure that wireless is enabled (see “Enable 2.
or Disable Wireless” on page 12).
Connect the wireless display adapter to 3.
the TV.
NOTE: The wireless display adapter does
not ship with your computer and must be
purchased separately.
Turn on the TV.4.
Select the appropriate video source for your 5.
TV, such as HDMI1, HDMI2, or S-Video.
Click the Intel6.
the desktop.
The Intel® Wireless Display window
appears.
Select 7. Scan for available displays.
Select your wireless display adapter from 8.
the Detected wireless displays list.
®
Wireless Display icon on
Enter the security code that appears on 9.
your TV.
To enable wireless display:
Click the Intel1.
®
Wireless Display icon on
the desktop.
The Intel® Wireless Display window
appears.
Select 2. Connect to Existing Adapter.
NOTE: For more information about wireless
display, see the wireless display adapter
documentation.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
15
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the External Optical Drive (Optional)
NOTE:Your computer does not have an internal optical drive. Use an external optical drive for
the procedures that involve discs.
Connect the external optical drive to the USB connectors on your computer.
16
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect to the Internet
(Optional)
To connect to the Internet, you need an external
modem or network connection and an Internet
Service Provider (ISP).
If an external USB modem or WLAN adapter
is not a part of your original order, you can
purchase one at www.dell.com.
Setting Up a Wired Connection
If you are using a dial-up connection, •
connect the telephone line to the optional
external USB modem and to the telephone
wall connector before you set up your
Internet connection.
If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite •
modem connection, contact your ISP
or cellular telephone service for setup
instructions.
To complete setting up your wired Internet
connection, follow the instructions in “Setting
Up Your Internet Connection” on page 18.
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
NOTE: To set up your wireless router, see
the documentation that shipped with your
router.
Before you can use your wireless Internet
connection, you need to connect to your
wireless router.
To set up your connection to a wireless router:
Windows Vista
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your 1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 12).
Save and close any open files, and exit any 2.
open programs.
Click 3. Start → Connect To.
Follow the instructions on the screen to 4.
complete the setup.
®
17
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Windows® 7
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your 1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 12).
Save and close any open files, and exit any 2.
open programs.
Click 3. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type 4. network, and
then click Network and Sharing Center→ Connect to a network.
Follow the instructions on the screen to 5.
complete the setup.
18
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact
your ISP for offerings available in your country.
If you cannot connect to the Internet but have
successfully connected in the past, the ISP
might have a service outage. Contact your ISP
to check the service status, or try connecting
again later.
Have your ISP information ready. If you do not
have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet wizard
can help you get one.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To set up your Internet connection:
Windows Vista
Save and close any open files, and exit any 1.
open programs.
Click 2. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type 3. network, and then
click Network and Sharing Center→ Set up
a connection or network→ Connect to the
Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, click Help me choose
or contact your ISP.
Follow the instructions on the screen and 4.
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
Windows 7
Save and close any open files, and exit any 1.
open programs.
Click 2. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type 3. network, and then
click Network and Sharing Center→ Set up
a new connection or network→ Connect to
the Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, click Help me choose
or contact your ISP.
Follow the instructions on the screen and 4.
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
19
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
12345
This section provides information about the features available on your Inspiron laptop.
INSPIRON
Right View Features
20
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
share digital photos, music, videos, and documents stored on memory cards.
NOTE: Your computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the media card slot. Blanks protect
unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no media card is
installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
2
Audio out/Headphone connector — Connects to a pair of headphones or to a powered
speaker or sound system.
3
Audio in/Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone or inputs signal for use
with audio programs.
4
USB 2.0 connectors (2) — Connect to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer,
external drive, or MP3 player.
5
Network connector — Connects your computer to a network or a broadband device if
you are using a wired network.
7-in-1 Media Card Reader — Provides a fast and convenient way to view and
21
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
23
Left View Features
22
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that the cable fits into the security cable slot on
your computer.
2
HDMI connector — Connects to a TV for both 5.1 audio and video signals.
NOTE: When used with a monitor, only the video signal is read.
3
eSATA/USB combo connector — Connects to eSATA compatible storage devices (such
as external hard disk drives or optical drives) or USB devices (such as a mouse, keyboard,
printer, external drive, or MP3 player).
23
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1 2 3
Front View Features
1
Power indicator light — Indicates the power states. For more information on the power
button light, see “Status Lights and Indicators” on page 26.
2
Hard drive activity light — Turns on when the computer reads or writes data. A solid
white light indicates hard drive activity.
CAUTION: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the hard drive activity
light is flashing.
3
Battery status light — Indicates the battery charge status. For more information on the
battery status light, see “Status Lights and Indicators” on page 26.
NOTE: The battery is charging when the computer is powered using the AC adapter.
24
Back View Features
12
1
AC adapter connector — Connects to the AC adapter to power the computer and charge
the battery.
2
VGA connector — Connects to a monitor or projector.
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
25
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