Dell RW491, PP25L User Manual

Dell™ XPS™ M1330

Owner’s Manual

Model PP25L

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

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 potential for property damage, personal injury,

or death.

____________________

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, XPS, Wi-Fi Catcher, and Dell MediaDirect are

trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel is a registered trademark and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries; Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model PP25L

September 2008 P/N RW491 Rev. A03

Contents

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

1 About Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Determining Your Computer’s Configuration . . . . . . 19

Front View

Left Side View

Right Side View

Back View

Bottom View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

2 Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

Transferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . 33

Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer

Setting Up a Printer

Printer Cable

Connecting a USB Printer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

. . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . 33

Contents 3

Power Protection Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Surge Protectors

Line Conditioners

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . 36

3 Using the System Setup Program . . . . . . 37

Viewing the System Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . 38

System Setup Screen

Commonly Used Options

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Cleaning Your Computer

Computer, Keyboard, and Display

Touch Pad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Mouse

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Media

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad . . . . 43

Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Key Combinations

System Functions

Display Functions

Battery

Power Management

Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions

Dell™ QuickSet Key Combinations

Adjusting Keyboard Settings

Touch Pad

Customizing the Touch Pad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

. . . 44

. . . . . . . . . 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

4 Contents

5 Using the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Adjusting Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display To a Projector

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate

. . . . . 47

6 Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Checking the Battery Charge

Dell QuickSet Battery Meter

Microsoft

Charge Gauge

Windows® Battery Meter . . . . . . . 51

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Low-Battery Warning

Conserving Battery Power

Configuring Power Management Settings

Using the Sleep Power State

Charging the Battery

Replacing the Battery

Storing a Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

. . . . . 52

. . . . . . . . . . . 53

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

7 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Playing Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Playing Media Using Dell Travel Remote (Optional)

. . 58

Contents 5

Copying CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

How to Copy a CD or DVD

Using Blank CDs and DVDs

Helpful Tips

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

. . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Adjusting the Volume

Adjusting the Picture

Using Dell MediaDirect™

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Connecting Your Computer to a TV Using the HDMI Connector

Enabling the Display Settings for a TV

Enabling the Audio Settings for a TV

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . . 65

8 Using ExpressCards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

ExpressCard Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Installing an ExpressCard

Removing an ExpressCard or Blank

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

. . . . . . . . . . . 69

9 Using the Memory Card Reader . . . . . . . 71

Memory Card Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

6 Contents

Installing a Memory Card

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Removing a Memory Card or Blank

. . . . . . . . . . . 72

10 Setting Up and Using Networks . . . . . . . 73

Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Setting Up a Network

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

. . . . . . . . . 74

What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection

Checking Your Wireless Network Card

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

. . . . . . 74

Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem

Connecting to a WLAN

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

. . . . . . . . . 75

Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection

Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card

Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network

. . . . . . . . . 78

. . . . 79

. . . 80

Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card

Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

. . . . . . . . . 81

11 Securing Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Security Cable Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Passwords

Fingerprint Reader (Optional)

If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

. . . . . . . . . . . 85

Contents 7

12 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Dell Technical Update Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Dell Diagnostics

Dell Support Center

Dell Support 3

Dell PC Tune-Up

Dell PC CheckUp

Dell Network Assistant

DellConnect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Optical drive problems

Hard drive problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

ExpressCard Problems

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

Keyboard Problems

External Keyboard problems

Unexpected characters

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

. . . . . . . . . 96

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

. . . . . . . . . . . . 104

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

8 Contents

Lockups and Software Problems

The computer does not start

The computer stops responding

A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system

A solid blue screen appears

. . . . . . . . . . . . 105

. . . . . . . . . . 105

. . . . . . . 106

. . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Dell MediaDirect problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your

computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries.

NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

• Drivers for my computer

• Device documentation

• Notebook System Software (NSS)

Drivers and Utilities Media

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall drivers (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 117) or run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 87).

Readme files may be included on your Drivers and Utilities media to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technical-reference material for technicians or experienced users.

NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates

can be found at support.dell.com.

Finding Information 13

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Warranty information

• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)

• Safety instructions

• Regulatory information

• Ergonomics information

• End User License Agreement

Dell™ Product Information Guide

• How to set up my computer

Setup Diagram

NOTE: The appearance of your setup

diagram may vary.

14 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

• Microsoft

Windows® License Label

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows Product Key

These labels are located on your computer.

• Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use

support.dell.com

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support.

NOTE: As an increased security measure,

the newly designed Microsoft Windows license label incorporates a missing portion or "hole" to discourage removal of the label.

or contact support.

Finding Information 15

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked questions

• Community — Online discussion with

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

NOTE: Select your region or business

segment to view the appropriate support site.

other Dell customers

• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as the memory, hard drive, and operating system

• Customer Care — Contact information, service call and order status, and warranty and repair information

• Service and support — Service call status, support history, service contract, and online discussions with support

• Dell Technical Update Service — Proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer

• Reference — Computer documentation, details on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers

• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software updates

• Notebook System Software (NSS) — If you reinstall the operating system on your computer, you should also reinstall the NSS utility. NSS automatically detects your computer and operating system, and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration, providing critical updates for your operating system and support for Dell

3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel

processors, optical drives, and USB devices. NSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.

To download Notebook System Software:

Go to

support.dell.com

country/region, and then click

& Downloads

Enter your Service Tag or product model, and then click

Select your operating system and language, and then click

Downloads Search

Notebook System Software

NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface

may vary depending on your selections.

, select your

Find

, or under

Downloads

, search for the keyword

Drivers

16 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints — Frequently asked questions, hot topics, and general health of your computing environment

Dell Support Utility

The Dell Support Utility is an automated upgrade and notification system installed on your computer. This support provides real-time health scans of your computing environment, software updates, and relevant self-support information. Access the Dell Support Utility from the

icon on the taskbar. For more information, see "Dell Support 3" on page 92.

• How to use Windows Vista™

• How to work with programs and files

• How to personalize my desktop

Windows Help and Support

Click the Windows Vista Start button

, and then click

Search Help

that describes your problem, and then press <Enter> or click the magnifying glass.

Click the topic that describes your problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

• Information on network activity, the Power Management Wizard, hotkeys, and other items controlled by Dell QuickSet.

Dell QuickSet Help

To vie w Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the Dell QuickSet icon in the Windows notification area.

For more information on Dell QuickSet, see "Dell™ QuickSet" on page 155.

Help and Support

, type a word or phrase

Finding Information 17

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to reinstall my operating system

Operating System Media

The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use one of the following methods:

• Microsoft Windows System Restore — Microsoft Windows System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files.

• Dell PC Restore — Dell PC Restore returns your computer to its original operating state. Dell PC Restore may not ship with your computer.

• Operating System Installation Media — If you received operating system media with your computer, you can use it to restore your operating system.

For more information, see "Restoring Your Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating System" on page 120.

After you reinstall your operating system, use the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.

18 Finding Information

Your operating system product key label is located on your computer.

NOTE: The color of your CD varies based

on the operating system you ordered.

About Your Computer

Determining Your Computer’s Configuration

Based on selections that you made when purchasing your computer, your computer has one of several different video controller configurations. To determine your computer’s video controller configuration:

lick Start

Under

and diagnose problems.

Under

From the My Computer Information - Hardware screen, you can view the type of video controller installed in your computer, as well as the other hardware components.

, and then click

Pick a Task

My Computer Information

, click

Help and Support

Use Tools to view your computer information

, select

Hardware

About Your Computer 19

Front View

1 camera indicator 2 camera (optional)

3 display 4 media control buttons

5 keyboard 6 fingerprint reader (optional)

7 8-in-1 memory reader 8 microphone connector

9 audio connectors 10 touch pad buttons

11 touch pad 12 media direct button

13 power button 14 dual digital microphones (optional)

8 7

20 About Your Computer

CAMERA INDICATOR — Indicates that the camera is turned on. Based on

configuration selections that you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a camera.

CAMERA (OPTIONAL)—Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat.

Based on configuration selections that you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a camera.

DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on

page 47.

MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS — Control CD, DVD, and Media Player playback.

Eject. Play the next track.

Play the previous track. Mute the sound.

Stop. Turn the volume down.

Play or pause. Turn the volume up.

KEYBOARD — For more information about the keyboard, see "Using the Keyboard and

Touch Pad" on page 43.

About Your Computer 21

FINGERPRINT READER (OPTIONAL)—Helps to keep your Dell™ computer secure.

When you slide your finger over the reader, it uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity. For information on how to activate and use the security management software that controls the biometric reader, see "Fingerprint Reader (Optional)" on page 84.

IN-1 MEMORY CARD READER — Provides a fast and convenient way to view and

share digital photos, music, and videos stored on a memory card. The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot. The 8-in-1 memory card reader reads the following digital memory cards:

• Secure Digital (SD) memory card

• SDIO card

• MultiMediaCard (MMC)

•Memory Stick

• Memory Stick PRO

• xD-Picture Card

• Hi Speed-SD

• Hi Density-SD

MICROPHONE AND AUDIO CONNECTORS

Attach headphones to either connector.

Attach a microphone to the connector.

PAD BUTTONS — Use these buttons much like the buttons on a mouse when

TOUCH

you use the touch pad to move the cursor on the display. (For more information about using the touch pad, see "Touch Pad" on page 45.)

22 About Your Computer

TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad" on page 45).

ELL™ MEDIADIRECT™ BUTTON — Press the Dell MediaDirect button to launch

Dell MediaDirect. For more information, see "Using Dell MediaDirect™" on page 63.

POWER BUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power

management mode (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 52).

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft

Windows® operating system shutdown rather than by pressing the power button.

If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (may take several seconds).

DUAL DIGITAL MICROPHONES — Built-in microphone for conferencing and chat.

DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS

The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:

Turns on when the numeric keypad (Num Lock) is enabled.

Turns on when the uppercase letter (Caps Lock) function is enabled.

Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.

About Your Computer 23

Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To enable or disable wireless networking, use the wireless switch. For details, see "Right Side View" on page 26.

Turns on when Bluetooth® Wireless Technology is enabled.

NOTE: The light turns on only if you ordered Bluetooth Wireless

Technology with your computer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your Bluetooth Wireless Technology.

To turn off only the Bluetooth wireless technology functionality, right-click the icon in the notification area, and then click Disable Bluetooth Radio.

To quickly enable or disable all wireless devices, use the wireless switch (see "Right Side View" on page 26).

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:

– Solid blue: The battery is charging. – Flashing blue: The battery is almost fully charged. – Off: The battery is adequately charged.

If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows:

– Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off). – Flashing amber: The battery charge is low.

amber

– Solid

: The battery charge is critically low.

Left Side View

1 62 3 4 5

1 AC adapter connector 2 video connector

3 network connector (RJ-45) 4 USB connector

5 HDMI connector 6 IEEE 1394 connector

7 hard drive

24 About Your Computer

AC ADAPTER CONNECTOR — Attaches an AC adapter to the computer. The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned on or off.

1 2

1 AC adapter port 2 AC adapter connector

CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However,

power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.

NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the

connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly, but gently to help prevent damage to the cable.

VIDEO CONNECTOR

Connects video devices, such as a monitor.

About Your Computer 25

NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45)

NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector.

To avoid damaging the computer, do not plug a telephone line into the network connector.

Connects the computer to a network. The two lights next to the connector indicate status and activity for wired network connections.

For information on using the network adapter, see the device user’s guide supplied with your computer.

CONNECTOR

USB

Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.

HDMI CONNECTOR —High-Definition Multimedia Interface connector carries an uncompressed all digital signal to produce hi-definition video and audio.

IEEE 1394

transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.

ARD DRIVE — Stores software and data.

CONNECTOR — Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed

Right Side View

1 ExpressCard slot 2 optical drive

3 USB connector 4 security cable slot

26 About Your Computer

2 34

EXPRESSCARD SLOT — Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see "Using ExpressCards" on page 67.

OPTICAL DRIVE — For more information about the optical drive, see "Using

Multimedia" on page 57.

USB

CONNECTOR

Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.

SECURITY

CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device

to the computer (see "Security Cable Lock" on page 83).

321

1 Wireless On/Off Switch 2 LED indicator

3 Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator

WIRELESS ON /OFF SWITCH — When enabled through Dell QuickSet, this switch

can scan for a wireless LAN (WLAN) in your vicinity. You can also use it to rapidly turn off or on any wireless devices such as WLAN cards and internal cards with Bluetooth Wireless Technology. For information about Dell QuickSet, see "Dell™ QuickSet" on page 155. For information on how to scan for wireless networks in your vicinity, see "Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 81.

LED INDICATOR — Lights up when your are connected to a WLAN.

I -FI CATCHER™ NETWORK LOCATOR SWITCH — When enabled through Dell

QuickSet, this switch can scan for a wireless local area network (WLAN) in your vicinity. For more information, see "Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 81.

About Your Computer 27

Back View

1 battery 2 air vents

AIR VENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents,

which prevents the computer from overheating.

NOTE: The computer turns the fan on when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is

normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer.

CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air

vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.

28 About Your Computer

Bottom View

1 battery 2 battery release latch

3 battery charge/health gauge 4 memory module/coin-cell battery compartment

5 wireless mini-card

compartment

BATTERY — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without

connecting the computer to an electrical outlet (see "Using a Battery" on page 49).

BATTERY RELEASE LATCH — Releases the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on

page 54

BATTERY CHARGE/HEALTH GAUGE — Provides information on the battery charge (see

"Checking the Battery Charge" on page 50).

for instructions).

About Your Computer 29

MEMORY MODULE/COIN-CELL BATTERY COMPARTMENT — Covers the compartment

that contains the DIMM 1 and DIMM 2 memory modules and the coin-cell battery. For additional information, see "Adding and Replacing Parts" on page 127.

WIRELESS MINI-CARD COMPARTMENT — Compartment for WLAN, WWAN, or

FCM Mini-Cards (see "Wireless Mini-Cards" on page 144).

30 About Your Computer

+ 172 hidden pages