Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, YOURS IS HERE, XPS, Wi-Fi Catcher, and Dell
MediaDirect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, and Core are registered trademarks of Intel
Corporation.; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks and Windows Vista is a trademark of
Microsoft Corporation in the United St a t e s and/or ot h e r countrie s ; Bluetooth is a re gistered trademark
owned by B l ue t o o t h S I G , I n c . and is used by Dell under license. Logitech, the Logitech logo, and the
Logitech products referred to herein are either the trademarks or the registered trademarks of Logitech.
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.
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
• My device documentation
• Notebook System Software (NSS)
Drivers and Utilities Media
Documentation and drivers are already
installed on your computer. You can use
the media to reinstall drivers (see
"Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on
page 136), to run the Dell Diagnostics
(see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 107), or to
access your documentation.
Readme files may be included on your
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 Information13
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
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
Setup Diagram
NOTE: The appearance of your setup
diagram may vary.
Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows®
License
This label is located in the battery bay of
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.
or contact support.
14Finding Information
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• Microsoft Windows License Label
The label is located on the memory
module cover at the bottom of the system.
NOTE: If your operating system is
Windows XP, this label might look different.
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.
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and
tips, articles from technicians, and online
courses, frequently asked questions
• Community — Online discussion with
other Dell customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for
components, such as memory, the hard
drive, and the operating system
• Customer Care — Contact
information, service call and order
status, warranty, and repair information
• Service and support — Service call status
and support history, service contract,
online discussions with technical 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
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region or business
segment to view the appropriate support site.
Finding Information15
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• Notebook System Software (NSS)— If
you reinstall the operating system for
your computer, you should also reinstall
the NSS utility. NSS provides critical
updates for your operating system and
support for processors, optical drives,
USB devices, and so on. NSS is necessary
for correct operation of your Dell
computer. The software automatically
detects your computer and operating
system and installs the updates
appropriate for your configuration.
• Software upgrades and troubleshooting
hints — Frequently asked questions,
hot topics, and general health of your
computing environment
To download Notebook System Software:
1
Go to
support.dell.com
Drivers & Downloads.
2
Enter your Service Tag or Product Type
and Product Model, and click
3
Scroll to
Utilities
Software
4
Select
Drivers & Downloads
NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface
may vary depending on your selections.
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 in the taskbar. For more information,
see "Dell Support Utility
• How to use Windows XP or
Windows Vista™
• How to work with programs and files
• How to personalize my desktop
Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista
Help and Support Center
1
Click
Start→
2
Type a word or phrase that describes
your problem and click the arrow icon.
3
Click the topic that describes your
problem.
4
Follow the instructions on the screen.
and click
Go
.
System and Configuration
→
Dell Notebook System
and click
Download Now
and click Go.
" on page 111
Help and Support
.
.
.
16Finding Information
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• Information on network activity, the
Power Management Wizard, hotkeys,
and other items controlled by
Dell QuickSet.
• How to change the LED colors for the
zones, play various LED effects (like
Dell QuickSet Help
To view
Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the
QuickSet icon in the Microsoft
Windows
The taskbar is located in the lower-right
corner of your screen.
strobe lights, breathing lights, rotating
lights), enable or disable visualization
plugins for select music players
• How to reinstall my operating system
Operating System Media
The operating system is already installed
on your computer. To reinstall your
operating system, use the Operating System media. See "Restoring Your
Operating System" on page 140 in your
Owner’s Manual.
®
®
taskbar, and select Help.
After you reinstall your operating system,
use the Drivers and Utilities media to
reinstall drivers for the devices that came
with your computer.
Your operating system product key label is
located on your computer.
NOTE: The color of your DVD varies based
on the operating system you ordered.
Finding Information17
18Finding Information
About Your Computer
Front View
14
13
12
11
15
1
2
3
4
5
8
9
710
About Your Computer19
6
1camera2display
3power button4GamePanel
5device status lights6right speaker
7infrared sensor8media control buttons
9touch pad10left speaker
11 Dell™ MediaDirect™ button12keyboard status lights
13 digital array microphones (2)14display latch
15 camera indicator
CAMERA — Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat.
DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on
page 39.
POWERBUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power
management mode (see "Power Management Modes" on page 50).
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 (which may take several seconds).
AMEPANEL — A small secondary LCD for displaying text and graphical information.
G
20About Your Computer
DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS
Turns on when you turn on the computer and blinks when the computer is
in a power management mode.
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.
Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status.
Turns on when wireless devices are enabled.
Turns on when Bluetooth
disable Bluetooth wireless technology, toggle the wireless switch between
the "on" and "off" positions (see "wireless switch" on page 27 for more
information).
®
wireless technology is enabled. To enable or
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 (or external power is not available to charge
the battery).
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 orange: The battery charge is low.
– Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.
About Your Computer21
TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad" on page 45).
NFRARED SENSOR — Consumer Infrared sensor to operate the remote control.
I
EDIA CONTROL BUTTONS — Control CD, DVD, and Media Player playback.
M
Mute the sound. Play the previous track.
Turn the volume down.Play the next track.
Turn the volume up.Stop.
Play or pause.
SPEAKERS — To adjust the volume of the integrated speakers, press the volume
control buttons or mute button.
22About Your Computer
DELL™ MEDIADIRECT™ BUTTON — Press the Dell MediaDirect button to launch
Dell MediaDirect (see "Using Dell MediaDirect™" on page 67).
1
1Dell MediaDirect button
About Your Computer23
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS
The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
9
Turns on when the Caps Lock function is enabled.
A
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
IGITAL MICROPHONES — Digital directional microphones for conferencing and
D
chat.
DISPLAY LATCH — Keeps the display closed.
CAMERA INDICATOR — The indicator shows solid blue light when the camera is
active and off when the camera is not.
24About Your Computer
Left Side View
12345678
1DVI-I connector (Dual link)2S-video connector
3USB connector4IEEE 1394 connector
58-in-1 memory card reader6optical drive
7microphone connector8headphone connectors (2)
DVI-I CONNECTOR — Used for connecting a DVI or VGA display (through dongle).
S-
VIDEOCONNECTOR — Connects your computer to a TV. Also connects digital
audio-capable devices using the TV/digital audio adapter cable.
CONNECTORS
USB
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
IEEE 1394
transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.
8-IN-1 MEMORYCARDREADER — Provides a fast and convenient way to view and
share digital photos, music, and videos stored on a memory card. The 8-in-1 media
memory card reader reads the following digital media memory cards:
• Secure Digital (SD)
•SDIO
• MultiMediaCard (MMC)
•Memory Stick
• Memory Stick PRO
• xD-Picture Card
• Hi Speed-SD
• Hi Density-SD
OPTICALDRIVE — For more information about the optical drive, see "Using
Multimedia" on page 59.
MICROPHONE CONNECTOR — Attach a microphone to this connector.
HEADPHONE CONNECTORS — Dual headphone connectors for attaching headphones.
EXPRESSCARDSLOT — Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a
plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see "ExpressCards" on
page 85.
WIRELESSSWITCH — You can use this switch to rapidly turn off or on any wireless
devices such as WLAN cards and internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology.
1
2
51
4
1off2 on
About Your Computer27
DELL WI -FI CATCHER™ NETWORKLOCATOR — Push this button to scan
specifically for wireless networks in your vicinity.
The Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator has an LED that operates as follows:
– Flashing blue: Searching for networks
– Solid blue: Strong network found
– Solid yellow:
– Off: No signal found
NOTE: The Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator light appears only when the
computer is turned off and wireless networking is activated in the system setup
program.
USB CONNECTORS
SECURITYCABLESLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device
to the computer (see "Security Cable Lock" on page 103).
Weak network found
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
Back View
1432
1air vents2AC adapter connector
3USB connector4network connector (RJ-45)
AIRVENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents,
which prevents the computer from overheating.
28About Your 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.
ADAPTER CONNECTOR
AC
Connects 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 either 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 avoid damaging the
cable. When you wrap the AC adapter cable, ensure that you follow the angle of the
connector on the AC adapter to avoid damaging the cable.
About Your Computer29
USB CONNECTORS
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
NETWORK
CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
NOTICE: 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.
30About Your Computer
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