Dell Vostro A860 User Manual
Vostro™ | A840/A860
Setup and
Quick Reference Guide
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.
Macrovision Product Notice
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual
property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by
Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation.
Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.
_________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Vostro , Wi-Fi Catcher, DellConnect, are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark
owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and is used by Dell under license; Intel, Pentium, Core, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in
the U.S. and other countries; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start button logo are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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.
PP37L, PP38L
August 2008 P/N G514H Rev. A02
Contents
Contents
About Your Computer. . . . . . . . 7
Front View
Right View
Left View
Battery Removal
Quick Setup
Connecting to the Internet
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . 12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
. . . . . . 17
Setting Up Your Internet
Connection
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Transferring Information to
a New Computer
Specifications
Troubleshooting
Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . 33
System Messages
Troubleshooting Software
and Hardware Problems
Dell Diagnostics
. . . . . . . . . . . . 19
. . . . . . . . . . . 21
. . . . . . . . . . 33
. . . . . . . . . 40
. . . . . . 41
. . . . . . . . . . 42
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . 44
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . 44
Memory Problems
. . . . . . . . . 46
3
Contents
Lockups and Software
Problems
Dell Technical Update Service
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
. . . 49
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . 49
Reinstalling Software
Drivers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . 51
Reinstalling Drivers and
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Utilities
. . . . . . . 51
Restoring Your Operating System . . 54
Using Microsoft® Windows®
System Restore
Using the Operating System
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Media
4
. . . . . . . . . . . 54
Finding Information . . . . . . . . 59
Getting Help
Obtaining Assistance
Technical Support and Customer
Service
Online Services
AutoTech Service
Automated Order-Status
Service
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
. . . . . . . . . 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
. . . . . . . . . . . 64
. . . . . . . . . . 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Problems With Your Order . . . . . . 66
Product Information
. . . . . . . . . 66
Returning Items for Warranty
Repair or Credit
. . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Contents
Contacting Dell
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
5
Contents
6
About Your Computer
About Your Computer
Front View
1
2
1 device status lights 2 audio connectors
3 touch pad
3
DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS
The lights located on the palm rest towards the
front of the computer indicate the following:
Power light – Turns on when you turn
on the computer, and blinks when
the computer is in a power
management mode.
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.
Battery status light – Turns on
steadily or blinks to indicate battery
charge status.
Wi-Fi status light – Turns on when
wireless networking is enabled.
7
About Your Computer
AUDIO CONNECTORS
Attach headphones to the connector
Attach a microphone to the connector
TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of
a mouse.
8
Right View
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1 display 2 keyboard status lights
3 AC adapter
connector
5 keyboard 6 optical drive eject button
7 optical drive light 8 optical drive
4 modem connector
About Your Computer
DISPLAY — For more information on the display,
see Dell Technology Guide.
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS —
The lights located above the keyboard indicate the
following:
Turns on when the numeric keypad
9
is enabled.
Turns on when the uppercase letter
A
(caps lock) function is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock
function is enabled.
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.
NOTE: Plug the power cord and the adapter
firmly in, and ensure that the light is on.
MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)
Connects the telephone line
to the modem connector.
For information on using the
modem, see the online
modem documentation
supplied with your computer.
KEYBOARD — For more information on the
keyboard, see Dell Technology Guide.
OPTICAL DRIVE — For more information about
the optical drive, see Dell Technology Guide.
9
About Your Computer
Left View
4
5
6
7
8
1 PC card slot 2 3-in-1 card reader slot
3 IEEE 1394a
connector
5 network connector 6 VGA connector
7 security cable slot 8 air vents
10
4 USB connectors (2)
PC CARD SLOT — Supports one PC Card, such
as a modem or network adapter. The computer
ships with a blank installed in the slot to prevent
foreign matter from entering the computer interior
when a card is not installed.
3-IN-1 MEDIA CARD READER — Provides
a fast and convenient way to view and share digital
photos, music, videos, and documents stored on the
following digital memory cards:
1
2
3
• Secure digital (SD) memory card
• Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card
• Multimedia card (MMC)
IEEE 1394A CONNECTOR — Connects
devices supporting IEEE 1394a high-speed transfer
rates, such as some digital video cameras.
USB CONNECTORS
Connect USB devices, such
as a mouse, keyboard, or
printer, and so on.
About Your Computer
NETWORK 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.
VGA CONNECTOR
Connects video devices, such
as a monitor.
SECURITY CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach
a commercially available antitheft device to
the computer.
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.
11
About Your Computer
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or
allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do
not store your Dell™ 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.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.
Battery Removal
CAUTION: Before working inside your
computer, read the safety information that
shipped with your computer. For additional
safety best practices information, see the
Regulatory Compliance Homepage at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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
12
designed to work with your Dell™ computer.
Do not use a battery from other computers
with your computer.
CAUTION: Before removing or replacing the
battery, turn off the computer, disconnect the
AC adapter from the electrical outlet and the
computer, disconnect the modem from the
wall connector and computer, and remove
any other external cables from the computer.
1
2
1 battery 2 battery release latches (2)
About Your Computer
To remove the battery:
1 Ensure that the computer is turned off.
2 Slide the two release latches on the bottom
of the computer, and then remove the battery
from the bay.
To replace the battery, slide the battery into the bay
until it clicks into place.
13
About Your Computer
14
Quick Setup
Quick Setup
CAUTION: Before working inside your
computer, read the safety information that
shipped with your computer. For additional
safety best practices information, see the
Regulatory Compliance Homepage at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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.
NOTE: Some devices may not be included if
you did not order them.
15
Quick Setup
1 Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter
connector on the computer and to the
electrical outlet.
2 Connect the network cable.
16
3 Connect USB devices, such as a mouse
or keyboard.
Quick Setup
4 Open the computer display and press the
power button to turn on the computer.
NOTE: It is recommended that you turn on
and shut down your computer at least once
before you install any cards or connect the
computer to a docking device or other
external device, such as a printer.
5 Connect to the Internet. See "Connecting to
the Internet" on page 17 for more information.
Connecting to the Internet
NOTE: Internet Service Provider(s) (ISP) and
ISP offerings vary by country.
To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or
network connection and an ISP. If you are using
a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to
the modem connector on your computer 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 phone service for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
NOTE: The instructions in this section are for
computers with Windows Vista
system only.
®
operating
17
Quick Setup
To set up an Internet connection with a desktop
shortcut provided by your ISP:
1 Save and close any open files, and exit any
open programs.
2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft
Windows
®
desktop.
3 Follow the instructions on the screen to
complete the setup.
If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop
or if you want to set up an Internet connection
with a different ISP, perform the steps in the
section below.
NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet,
see the Dell Technology Guide. If you 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.
NOTE: Have your ISP information ready.
If you do not have an ISP, consult the
Connect to the Internet wizard.
18
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating
System
1 Save and close any open files, and exit any
®
open programs.
2 Click the Windows Vista Start button →
Control Panel
3 Under Network and Internet, click Connect
to the Internet.
4 In the Connect to the Internet window, click
either Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up,
depending on how you want to connect:
• Choose Broadband if you will use
a DSL, satellite modem, cable TV
modem, or Bluetooth wireless
technology connection.
• Choose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up
modem or ISDN.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, click Help me choose
or contact your ISP.
5 Follow the instructions on the screen and
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
Transferring Information to a New Computer
NOTE: The instructions in this section are for
computers with Windows Vista operating
system installed.
1 Click the Windows Vista Start button ,
and then click Transfer files and settings→
Start Windows Easy Transfer.
2 In the User Account Control dialog box, click
Continue.
3 Click Start a new transfer or Continue
a transfer in progress.
4 Follow the instructions provided on the
screen by the Windows Easy Transfer
wizard.
Quick Setup
19
Quick Setup
20
Specifications
NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For
more information regarding the configuration
of your computer, click Start→ Help and
Support and select the option to view
information about your computer.
Processor Vostro A840 Vostro A860
®
Processor type Intel® Core™2 Duo
®
Pentium™ Dual-Core
Intel
®
Intel
Celeron® Dual and Single Core
L1 cache 32 KB per instruction, 32 KB data cache
per core
L2 cache 512 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB or 4 MB per core
depending on model
External bus
667 and 800 MHz 667 and 800 MHz
frequency
Intel
Core™2 Duo
®
Pentium™ Dual-Core
Intel
®
Intel
Celeron® Dual and Single Core
32 KB per instruction, 32 KB data cache per
core
512 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB or 4 MB per core
depending on model
Specifications
21
Specifications
System Information Vostro A840 Vostro A860
Chipset Intel GM965 Express/ICH8M Intel GM965 Express/ICH8M
Data bus width 64 bits 64 bits
DRAM bus width dual-channel (2) 64-bit buses dual-channel (2) 64-bit buses
Processor address
bus width
Flash EPROM 2 MB 2 MB
Graphics bus internal internal
PCI bus 32 bits 32 bits
Memory Vostro A840 Vostro A860
Memory module connector two user-accessible SODIMM sockets two user-accessible SODIMM sockets
Memory module capacities 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB
Memory type DDR2 SODIMM DDR2 SODIMM
22
36 bits 36 bits
4-GB capable
512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB
4-GB capable
Memory (continued) Vostro A840 Vostro A860
Minimum memory 512 MB 512 MB
Maximum memory 4 GB 4 GB
Specifications
Ports and
Connectors
Audio microphone connector, stereo
Mini-Card one PCI-E Mini-Card slot one PCI-E Mini-Card slot
Modem RJ-11 port RJ-11 port
Network adapter RJ-45 port RJ-45 port
USB two 4-pin USB 2.0-compliant connectors two 4-pin USB 2.0-compliant connectors
Video 15-hole connector 15-hole connector
IEEE 1394 4-pin mini 4-pin mini
Vostro A840 Vostro A860
microphone connector, stereo headphone/
headphone/speakers connector
speakers connector
23
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