Dell Studio Studio 15, Studio 1535 Quick Reference Manual

Dell™ Studio 1535/1536
Quick Reference Guide

Model PP33L

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

®

Mcrosoft

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, Wi-Fi Catcher, YOURS IS HERE, DellConnect,
and MediaDirect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Core are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.;
AMD, AMD Turion, Athlon, Sempron, ATI Radeon and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced
Micro Devices, Inc.; 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 PP33L

March 2008 P/N F434C Rev. A00

Contents

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

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

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

Back and Left View

Bottom View

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

Removing and Replacing the Battery

Removing and Replacing the Base Cover

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

. . . . . . . . . . 20

. . . . . . . 21

2 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3 Troubleshooting

Dell Technical Update Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

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

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

. . . . . . . . 33

Dell Support Center

Drive Problems

Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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

Hard drive problems

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

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

Contents 3

Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

The computer does not start

The computer stops responding

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

. . . . . . . . . . 44

A program stops responding or
crashes repeatedly

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

A program is designed for an earlier

®

Microsoft

A solid blue screen appears

Memory Problems

Power Problems

Windows® operating system . . . . . 45

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

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

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

Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems
in the Windows Vista

®

Operating System . . . . . . . 47

Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Using Windows Vista System Restore

. . . . . . . 48

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.

Drivers and Utilities Media

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

support.dell.com

or contact support.

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

Model number of your computer.

• 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.

Setup Diagram How to setup your computer

Service Manual

Available at Dell Support Website -

support.dell.com

Dell Technology Guide

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

NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates

can be found at support.dell.com.

• How to remove and replace parts

• How to troubleshoot and solve
problems

• About your operating system

• Using and maintaining peripherals

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

Finding Information 7

Document/Media/Label Contents

Microsoft Windows License Label

You can find this label in the battery
compartment.

Dell Support Center

Your operating system product key.

NOTE: This label is available only for

systems with Microsoft operating system.

• 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

18

19

17

16

15

20

14

10

1

2

3

4
5
6

7
8

9

13

11

12

About Your Computer 9

1 camera indicator (optional) 2 camera (optional)

3 display 4 media control buttons (9)

5 keyboard 6 num lock light

7 device status lights 8 power button

9 AC adapter connector 10 battery status light

11 optical drive 12 USB connectors (2)

13 IEEE connector 14 fingerprint reader (optional)

15 consumer IR 16 analog microphone

17 touch pad buttons (2) 18 touch pad

19 caps lock light 20 digital array microphones (optional)

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

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

CAMERA — Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat. Based on

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

DISPLAY — For more information on the display, see Dell Technology Guide.

MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS — Control CD, DVD, Blu-ray, 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

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

backlit keyboard, you can change the settings through Dell QuickSet.
See Dell Technology Guide for more information on keyboard.

NUM LOCK LIGHT — Turns on when Num Lock is activated.

DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS

The lights located on the palm rest towards the front of the computer
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 17).

®

Bluetooth
technology is enabled.

status light – Turns on when a card with Bluetooth wireless

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
turn it back on, right-click the icon in the notification area, and then
click Enable Bluetooth Radio.

To quickly enable or disable all wireless devices, use the wireless switch.

Hard drive activity light – Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.

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 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

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.

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: Plug the power cord and the adapter firmly in, and ensure that the

green LED is on.

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

B

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

– Solid white: The battery is charging and has attained sufficient charge or the battery

is completely charged
– Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off).
– Solid orange: The battery charge is low.
– Flashing orange: The battery charge is critically low.

12 About Your Computer

OPTICAL DRIVE — For more information about the optical drive,

see Dell Technology Guide.

NOTE: The optical drive supports standard circular 12.7 cm discs. Irregularly

shaped discs or discs smaller than 12.7 cm are not supported.

CONNECTORS

USB

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

IEEE 1394 C

ONNECTOR — Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394a high-speed

transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.

FINGERP RINT 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

•
Fingerprint Logons

Import and Export Wizard

•
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.

- To enroll your fingerprint

- To add, remove or modify properties related to

- To export fingerprint information into a file for the further

Properties

•

- To configure DigitalPersona Personal Settings and product behavior. For

more information, see

Features

•

Check for Updates

→ General Settings

options. You must have an Internet connection to use this feature. You can either
check for updates manually or automatically.

DigitalPersona Online Help

→

Using DigitalPersona Personal

.

- To deliver and install software updates and also for updating

About Your Computer 13

•

Help

- HTML-based Help.

CONSUMER IR — Infrared sensor for using the Dell Travel Remote.

NALOG MICROPHONE — Integrated single microphone for conferencing and chat.

A

NOTE: Analog microphone is present only when you have not ordered for the

optional camera and digital array microphones.

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.

CAPS LOCK LIGHT — turns on when Caps Lock is activated.

DIGITAL ARRAY MICROPHONES — 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
will have an integrated single analog microphone.

14 About Your Computer

Back and Left View

14

1
2
3

4

13

12

8

9

10

11

1 ExpressCard slot 2 8-in-1 media card reader

3 headphone connectors (2) 4 microphone connector

5 network connector (RJ-45) 6 USB connector

7 eSATA connector* 8 VGA connector

9 HDMI connector 10 wireless switch

11 security cable slot 12 Wi-Fi catcher network locator

13 air vents 14 battery

* Studio 1535 systems have an additional USB connector instead of an eSATA connector.

About Your Computer 15

5

6

7

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

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 memory 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

AUDIO CONNECTORS

Attach headphones to the connector

NETWORK

USB

CONNECTORS

Attach a microphone to the connector

CONNECTOR (RJ-45)

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.

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

16 About Your Computer

E SATA CONNECTOR

Connect eSATA compatible storage devices, such as external hard
disk drives or optical drives.

NOTE: The eSATA connector is available only in Studio 1536.

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.

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 "Wi-Fi Catcher™ network locator" on page 18) 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).

1 off Disables wireless devices

2 on Enables wireless devices

1

2

About Your Computer 17

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

to the computer.

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

W

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.

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

which prevents the computer from overheating. The fan automatically turns 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.

18 About Your Computer

Bottom View

3 41 2

1 battery 2 battery charge/health gauge

3 battery release latch 4 base cover

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.

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

BATTERY RELEASE LATCH — Releases the battery.

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

WLAN, WWAN, or Ultra Wideband (UWB) cards.

About Your Computer 19

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 these procedures, 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:

Ensure that the computer is turned off.

1

2

Turn the computer over.

3

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

4

Slide the battery out of the bay.

1

1 battery 2 battery release latch

2

To replace the battery, slide the battery into the bay until it clicks into place.

20 About Your Computer