Dell Studio PP31L Quick Reference Guide

Dell™ Studio 1735

Quick Reference Guide

Model PP31L

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.

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document

®

to Microsoft

Windows® operating systems are not applicable.

___________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellConnect, Wi-Fi Catcher, YOURS IS HERE,

and MediaDirect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Celeron, and Pentium are registered trademarks 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 PP31L

March 2008 P/N NU140 Rev. A00

Contents

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

1 About Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Front and Right View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Back and Left View

Bottom View

Removing and Replacing the Battery

Removing and Replacing the Base Cover

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

. . . . . . . . . . 20

. . . . . . . 21

2 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

3 Troubleshooting

Dell Technical Update Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Pre-Boot Self Assessment (PSA) Diagnostics
and Dell 32 Bit Diagnostics

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

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

Dell Support Center

Drive Problems

Hard drive problems

Error Messages

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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

Contents 3

Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

The computer does not start

The computer stops responding

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

. . . . . . . . . . 46

A program stops responding or crashes
repeatedly

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

A program is designed for an earlier
Microsoft

A solid blue screen appears

Memory Problems

Power Problems

®

Windows® operating system . . . . . 47

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems

®

in the Windows Vista

Restoring Your Operating System

Using Windows Vista System Restore

Operating System . . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . 50

4 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Obtaining Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Technical Support and Customer Service

DellConnect

Online Services

AutoTech Service

Automated Order-Status Service

Problems With Your Order

Product Information

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . 55

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

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

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Before You Call

Contacting Dell

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

. . . . . 54

. . . . . 56

4 Contents

A Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

FCC Notice (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

FCC Class B

Macrovision Product Notice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

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

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Contents 5

6 Contents

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some

features may not be available in certain countries.

NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.

Document/Media/Label Contents

Service Tag and Express Service Code

You can find this at the bottom of your
computer.

Model Number

You can find this at the bottom of your
computer next to the service tag.

Microsoft Windows License Label

You can find this in your computer’s battery
bay.

Drivers and Utilities Media

• 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.

Your computer’s model number

Your operating system product key

or contact support.

NOTE: This label is available only for

systems with Microsoft operating system.

• A diagnostic program for your computer

• Drivers for your computer

• Device documentation

• Notebook System Software (NSS)

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.

Setup Diagram How to setup your computer

Service Manual

Available at Dell Support Website -

support.dell.com

• How to remove and replace parts

• How to troubleshoot and solve
problems

Finding Information 7

Document/Media/Label Contents

Dell Technology Guide

Available in Windows Help and Support
(Start → Help and Support) and at Dell
Support Website - support.dell.com

Dell Support Center

• About your operating system

• Using and maintaining peripherals

• Understanding technologies such as
Internet, E-mail, and so on.

• Self Help (Troubleshooting, Security,
System Performance, Network/Internet,
Backup/Recovery, and Windows Vista

®

• Alerts (technical support alerts relevant
to your computer)

• Assistance from Dell (Technical
Support with DellConnect™, Customer
Service, Training and Tutorials, How-To
Help with Dell on Call, and Online
Scan with PC CheckUp)

• About Your System (System
Documentation, Warranty
Information, System Information,
Upgrades & Accessories)

NOTE: The Dell Support Center features

available in your computer depends on the
configuration.

)

Dell QuickSet Help Information on network activity, the

hotkeys, and other items controlled by
Dell QuickSet

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

8 Finding Information

About Your Computer

Front and Right View

21

1

2

3

4

20

19

18

17

16

15

14

5

6

7

8

9

1213

11

10

About Your Computer 9

1 camera indicator (optional) 2 camera (optional)

3 display 4 media control buttons

5 num lock light 6 device status lights

7 power button 8 battery status light

9 AC adapter connector 10 USB connectors (2)

11 optical drive 12 microphone connector

13 headphone connectors (2) 14 fingerprint reader (optional)

15 consumer IR 16 integrated single analog microphone

17 touch pad buttons 18 touch pad

19 keyboard 20 caps lock light

21 dual digital array microphones

(optional)

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

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

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

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

DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see Dell Technology Guide.

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

Launch Dell MediaDirect Mute the sound

Play the previous track Turn the volume down

Stop Turn the volume up

Play or pause Eject the disc

Play the next track

10 About Your Computer

NUM LOCK LIGHT — Turns on when the numeric keypad (Num Lock) function is

enabled.

DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS

The lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:

WiFi status light – Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To
enable or disable wireless networking, use the wireless switch (see "wireless
On/Off switch" on page 16).

®

Bluetooth

status light – Turns on when a card with Bluetooth wireless

technology is enabled.

NOTE: The card with Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature.

The light turns on only if you ordered the card with your computer. For
more information, see the documentation that came with your card.

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 "wireless On/Off switch" on page 16).

Hard drive activity light – Turns on when the computer reads or writes
data. Flashing white indicates hard drive activity.

NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while

the light is flashing.

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

management mode.

NOTICE: If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until

the computer turns off completely (may take several seconds).

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

®

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

About Your Computer 11

BATTERY STATUS LIGHT — Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status.

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

– Solid white: The battery is charging.
– 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 battery is not charging.
– Solid amber: The battery charge is low.
–Flashing

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.

amber

: The battery charge is critically low.

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.

NOTE: Connect the power cord to the adapter firmly and ensure that the light on

the adapter is on when you turn on power.

12 About Your Computer

USB CONNECTOR

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

OPTICAL

DRIVE — For more information about the optical drive, see Dell Technology

Guide.

NOTE: The optical drive supports standard circular 12 cm discs. Irregularly shaped

discs or discs are not supported.

AUDIO CONNECTORS —

Attach headphones to the connector.

Attach a microphone to the connector.

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. The controlling security management software,
DigitalPersona Personal, displays a fingerprint reader icon in the system tray that
shows whether the reader is ready for use, and provides convenient access to a few
major components and features on its menu. When the reader is ready to scan
fingerprints, the reader icon appears normally. Otherwise, a red X displays over the
reader icon. The icon also flashes in red color when a fingerprint scan is being
processed.

For more information on how to activate and use DigitalPersona Personal, click

Start

→ Programs→ DigitalPersona Personal. The following sub-items are available

in this menu.

–

Fingerprint Enrollment Wizard

– Fingerprint Logon Manager

- To enroll your fingerprint

- To add, remove or modify properties related to

Fingerprint Logons

–

Import and Export Wizard

- To export fingerprint information into a file for
the further import on another computer, or for the use as a user-level backup.
This functionality allows avoiding the need to re-enter the data when
upgrading your computer or while adding a fingerprint reader to a second
computer. However, you need to enroll your fingerprints on the computer that
you are exporting the DigitalPersona Personal data to.

About Your Computer 13

– Properties

behavior. For more information, see

DigitalPersona Personal Features

–

Check for Updates

- To configure DigitalPersona Personal Settings and product

DigitalPersona Online Help→ Using

→

General Settings.

- To deliver and install software updates and also for
updating options. You must have an Internet connection to use this feature.
You can either check for updates manually or automatically.

–

Help

- HTML-based help

CONSUMER IR — An infrared sensor on the front of the computer that allows certain

software applications to be controlled by the Dell Travel Remote.

INTEGRATED SINGLE ANALOG MICROPHONE — Built-in microphone for conferencing

and chat. This microphone is not available if you have ordered the camera. Instead,
your computer will have the dual digital array microphones (see "dual digital array
microphones (optional)" on page 14) next to the camera.

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

you use the touch pad to move the cursor on the display.

TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse.

KEYBOARD — Backlit keyboard is an optional feature. If you have purchased the

backlit keyboard, you can change the settings through Dell QuickSet. For more
information about the keyboard, see Dell Technology Guide.

CAPS LOCK LIGHT — Turns on when the uppercase letter (Caps Lock) function is

enabled.

DUAL DIGITAL ARRAY MICROPHONES (OPTIONAL) — Higher quality built-in

microphones for conferencing and chat. These microphones filter noise and provide
better sound quality.

NOTE: Digital array microphones are optional and may not be present in your

computer unless you have ordered for the optional camera. Instead, your computer
has an integrated single analog microphone.

14 About Your Computer

Back and Left View

1

2

345 78 9 10 11 12 13

1 battery 2 air vent

3 Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator 4 security cable slot

5 Wireless On/Off switch 6 VGA connector

7 HDMI connector 8 USB connectors (2)

9 network connector (RJ-45) 10 USB connector

11 IEEE 1394 connector 12 8-in-1 media card reader

13 ExpressCard slot

6

About Your Computer 15

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

connecting the computer to an electrical outlet.

NOTE: Connecting the computer to an electrical outlet through the AC adapter will

present the brightest picture as well as charge the battery.

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

which prevents the computer from overheating. 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: 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.

DELL W

I -FI CATCHER™ NETWORK LOCATOR — Press this button for a few seconds

to scan specifically for wireless networks in your vicinity.

The Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator has a light that operates as follows:

– Flashing white: Searching for networks
– Solid white for 10 seconds and then turns off: Network found
– Off (flashing white turns off after 10 blinks): No signal found

The Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator is enabled and configured for use when your
computer is shipped to you. For more information on the Wi-Fi Catcher Network
Locator and to enable the feature through Dell QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet
icon in the notification area, and then select Help.

SECURITY CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device

to the computer.

WIRELESS ON /OFF SWITCH — Use this switch to rapidly turn off or on any wireless

devices such as WLAN cards and internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology.
The wireless switch on your Dell computer uses the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network
Locator (see "DELL Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 16) to scan for
wireless networks in your vicinity. The wireless switch is enabled and configured for
use when your computer is shipped to you. You can change the settings through
Dell QuickSet or the BIOS (system setup program).

16 About Your Computer

31 2

1 Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator

2 off : Disables wireless devices

3 on : Enables wireless devices

VGA CONNECTOR

Connects video devices, such as a monitor.

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

CONNECTORS

USB

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

About Your Computer 17

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.

IEEE 1394

CONNECTOR — Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed

transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.

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

8-

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

• Secure Digital (SD) memory card

• Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) card

• MultiMediaCard (MMC)

•Memory Stick

• Memory Stick PRO

• xD-Picture Card

• Hi Speed-SD

• Hi Density-SD

EXPRESSC ARD SLOT — Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a
plastic blank installed in the slot.

18 About Your Computer

Bottom View

241

3

5

1 battery 2 battery release latch

3 battery charge/health gauge 4 battery charge/health gauge button

5 base cover

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

connecting the computer to an electrical outlet.

BATTERY RELEASE LATCH — Releases the battery.

BATTERY CHARGE/ HEALTH GAUGE BUTTON — Press this button to get information

on the battery charge and battery health.

About Your Computer 19

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

battery health.

Press once to determine the battery charge. Each of the 4 lights represents
approximately 20% of the total battery charge. If no lights appear, then there is no
charge in the battery.

Press and hold for 3 seconds to determine the battery health/condition. If no lights
appear, the battery is in good health. Each light represents incremental degradation.

For more information, see Dell Technology Guide.

BASE COVER — Compartment that contains the processor, hard drive, memory

modules, WLAN, WWAN, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) cards.

Removing and Replacing the Battery

CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or

explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from
Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use batteries
from other computers with your computer.

CAUTION: Before performing this procedure, turn off the computer, disconnect

the AC adapter from the electrical outlet and the computer, disconnect the modem
from the wall connector and the computer, and remove any other external cables
from the computer.

NOTICE: You must remove all external cables from the computer to avoid possible

connector damage.

NOTICE: If you choose to replace the battery with the computer in Sleep state, you

have up to 1 minute to complete the battery replacement before the computer shuts
down and loses any unsaved data.

To remove the battery:

1

Ensure that the computer is turned off.

2

Turn the computer over.

3

Slide the battery release latch towards the side of the computer until it is
engaged.

4

Slide the battery out of the bay.

20 About Your Computer