Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Latitude, ExpressCharge, TravelLite, Strike Zone, and Wi-Fi Catcher are trademarks of Dell
Inc.; Core is a trademark and Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation; Windows Vista, Microsoft, Outlook, and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license;
TouchStrip is a trademark of UPEK, Inc.; EMC is a registered trademark of EMC Corporation; ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR partner, Dell Inc. has determined that this product meets the ENERGY
STAR guidelines for energy efficiency; Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association.
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
• Notebook System Software (NSS)
Drivers and Utilities Media
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media may be optional and
may not ship with your computer.
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your
computer. You can use the media to reinstall drivers (see
"Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 108) or to run
the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 81).
Readme files may be
included on your media to
provide last-minute
updates about technical
changes to your computer
or advanced technicalreference material for
technicians or experienced
users.
1
NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at
support.dell.com.
Finding Information11
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• How to set up my computer
• Basic troubleshooting information
• How to run the Dell Diagnostics
• How to open my computer
Quick Reference Guide
NOTE: This document may be optional and may not ship with
your computer.
NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at
support.dell.com.
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
12Finding Information
Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License
These labels are located on your computer.
• Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you
support.dell.com
use
• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when
contacting support.
or contact 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.
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles
from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked
questions
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region or business segment to view the
appropriate support site.
• 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
• 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
To download Notebook System Software:
1
Go to
support.dell.com
segment, and enter your Service Tag.
2
Select
3
Click your operating system and search for the keyword
Notebook System Software
NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface may vary
depending on your selections.
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
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.
• How to use Windows
• How to work with programs and files
• How to personalize my desktop
Windows 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.
, select your region or business
Drivers & Downloads
.
Help and Support
and click Go.
.
Finding Information13
What Are You Looking For?Find It Here
• Information on network activity, the Power Management
Wizard, hotkeys, and other items controlled by Dell
QuickSet.
Dell QuickSet Help
To view
Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the QuickSet
icon in the Microsoft
For more information on Dell QuickSet, see "Dell™
QuickSet" on page 137.
• How to reinstall my operating system
Operating System Media
NOTE: The Operating System media may be optional and may
not ship with your computer.
The operating system is already installed on your computer.
To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating System media (see "Reinstalling Windows" on page 113).
media varies based on the operating system you ordered.
®
Windows® taskbar.
After you reinstall your
operating system, use the
optional 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
14Finding Information
About Your Computer
Front View
2
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
1
2
3
4
5
8
7
6
About Your Computer15
1display latch2display3power button
4device status lights5keyboard6touch pad
7fingerprint reader
(optional)
8speaker9touch pad buttons/track stick
buttons
10 track stick11keyboard status lights12 volume control buttons
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
wireless technology is enabled. To enable or
disable Bluetooth wireless technology, move the wireless switch to the "on"
position. See "wireless switch" on page 20 for more information.
NOTE: Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature on your
computer, so the icon 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.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:
– Solid green: The battery is charging.
– Flashing green: 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.
VOLUMECONTROLBUTTONS — –Press these buttons to adjust the volume.
MUTEBUTTON —
DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on page 45.
DISPLAYLATCH — Keeps the display closed.
DISPLAYLATCHBUTTON — Press this button to release the display latch and open the display.
KEYBOARD — The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft
information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Using the Keyboard" on page 39.
–
Press this button to turn off the volume.
®
Windows® logo key. For
About Your Computer17
KEYBOARDSTATUSLIGHTS
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
9
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
A
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
KEYBOARDILLUMINATIONLIGHTS — Press <Fn> and the right-arrow key to toggle on and off these lights for
illumination of the keyboard in low-light environments (see "Keyboard Illumination" on page 40).
TOUCHPAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad and Track Stick" on page 41).
TRACKSTICK — Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad and Track Stick" on page 41).
TOUCHPADBUTTONS/TRACKSTICKBUTTONS — Use these buttons much like the buttons on a mouse when you
use the touch pad and track stick to move the cursor on the display (see "Touch Pad and Track Stick" on page 41).
POWERBUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power management mode.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, shut down your computer instead of pressing the power button.
FINGERPRINTREADER (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 fingerprint reader, see "Security Management Software" on
page 74.
SPEAKER — To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker, press the volume control buttons, mute button, or
volume-control keyboard shortcuts (see "Key Combinations" on page 40).
18About Your Computer
AMBIENTLIGHTSENSOR — Detects available environmental light and automatically increases or decreases the
display backlighting to compensate for low-light and high-light environments. Press the <Fn> and left-arrow keys to
enable or disable the sensor ("Using the Ambient Light Sensor" on page 45).
AIRVENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer
from overheating.
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.
NOTE: 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.
SECURITYCABLESLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer (see "Security
Cable Lock" on page 69).
AUDIOCONNECTORS
2
3
4
7
5689
About Your Computer19
Attach headphones to the connector.
Attach a microphone to the connector.
IEEE 1394 CONNECTOR — Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as some digital
video cameras.
SMARTCARDSLOT (WITHBLANK)—Supports one smart card. Smart cards provide a variety of functions,
including security features and data storage. The blank prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the
computer when a smart card is not installed in the smart card slot. For more information and instructions on
removing the blank, see "Smart Cards" on page 65.
WIRELESSSWITCH — 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 (see "Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 56).
1234
1"off" positionDisables wireless devices
2"on" positionEnables wireless devices
3"momentary" positionScans for WLAN networks (see
"Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network
Locator" on page 56)
4Wi-Fi Catcher light
I-FI CATCHER™ LIGHT — The light operates as follows:
W
– Flashing green: Searching for networks
– Solid green: Strong network found
– Solid yellow:
Weak network found
– Flashing yellow: Error
– Off: No signal found
20About Your Computer
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. While working in Microsoft Windows operating systems, the
light is designed not to appear.
ARDSLOT — Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter. The computer ships with a blank
PC C
installed in the slot to prevent foreign matter from entering the computer interior when a card is not installed (see
"Card Types" on page 65).
NOTE: You must use an adapter with the 34-mm ExpressCard before you insert the card into the PC Card
connector.
HARDDRIVE — Stores software and data.
Right Side View
1234
1 optical drive in media bay 2media-bay device latch release3USB connectors (2)
4 USB port cover
MEDIABAY — Supports a floppy or an optical drive, second battery, second hard drive, or a Dell TravelLite™
module (see "Using Multimedia" on page 59).
DEVICELATCHRELEASE — Press the latch release to eject any device installed in the media bay.
CONNECTORS
USB
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
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.
3
4567
8
22About Your Computer
NETWORKCONNECTOR (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.
MODEMCONNECTOR (RJ-11)
Connect the telephone line to the modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online modem
documentation supplied with your computer (see "Finding
Information" on page 11).
USB CONNECTORS
Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or
printer.
SERIALCONNECTOR
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device.
VIDEO
CONNECTOR
Connects video devices, such as a monitor.
AC ADAPTERCONNECTOR
Connects an AC adapter to the computer.
About Your Computer23
1
1AC adapter2port cover
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.
AIRVENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer
from overheating.
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.
BATTERYCHARGEGAUGE/HEALTHGAUGE — Provides information on the battery charge (see "Checking the
Battery Charge" on page 32).
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 31).
BATTERY-BAYLATCHRELEASES — Releases the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 36 for instructions).
DEVICELOCKINGSCREW — If present, locks devices, such as an optical drive, in place.
DOCKING-DEVICECONNECTOR — Lets you attach your computer to a docking device. See the Dell documentation
that came with your docking device for more information.
MEMORYMODULECOVER — Covers the compartment that contains the second memory module connector
(DIMM B) (see "Memory" on page 122).
AIRVENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the fan air vents, which prevents the
computer from overheating.
About Your Computer25
26About Your Computer
3
Transferring Information to Another Computer
You can use your operating system wizards to help you transfer files and other data from one computer to
another. For instructions, see the following section that corresponds to the operating system that your
computer is running.
NOTE: "Old computer" or "source computer" refers to the original computer from which the information is
transferred; "new computer" or "destination computer" refers to the computer to which you transfer the information.
Microsoft® Windows® XP
The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides the Files and Settings Transfer wizard to move
data from a source computer to a new
•E-mail messages
•Toolbar settings
•Window sizes
•Internet bookmarks
You can transfer the data to the destination computer over a network, serial connection, or on removable
media such as a writable CD.
NOTE: You can transfer information from the source computer to the destination computer by directly connecting
a serial cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you
must access the Network Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration steps,
such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host computer and the guest computer.
—destination—computer. You can transfer data such as:
For instructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers, see Microsoft Knowledge Base
87uArticle #305621, titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP. This
information may not be available in some countries.
For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
You can use the optional Operating System media for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media
NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System media. This media is optional and may not be included with
all computers.
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:
Transferring Information to Another Computer27
1
Click
Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
2
When the
3
On the
4
On the
and click
5
When the
click
To copy data from the source computer:
1
On the source computer, insert the Windows XP
2
On the
3
Under
4
On the
5
On the
6
On the
7
On the
After the information has been copied, the
8
Click
To transfer data to the destination computer:
1
On the
2
On the
settings and files and click
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your destination computer.
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Which computer is this?
Do you have a Windows XP CD?
Next
.
Now go to your old computer
Next
at this time.
Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP
What do you want to do?
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Which computer is this?
Select a transfer method
What do you want to transfer?
Finish
.
Now go to your old computer
Where are the files and settings?
screen, click
, click
screen, click
screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
screen on the destination computer, click
Next
.
welcome screen appears, click
New Computer
screen, click
screen appears, go to your old or source computer. Do
screen, click
Transfer files and settings
welcome screen, click
Old Computer
screen, select the items you want to transfer and click
Completing the Collection Phase
screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD
Operating System
and click
media.
Perform additional tasks
.
Next
and click
Next
.
Next
Next
.
.
.
.
screen appears.
Next
.
not
Next
.
.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the
3
Click
Finished
and restart the destination computer.
Finished
screen appears.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media
To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System media, you must create a
wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup image file to removable media.
To create a wizard disk, use your destination computer with Windows XP and perform the following
steps:
1
Click
Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
2
When the
3
On the
28Transferring Information to Another Computer
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Which computer is this?
screen, click
welcome screen appears, click
New Computer→
Next
.
Next
.
.
4
On the
drive
5
Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click OK.
6
When the disk creation completes and the
do not
7
Go to the source computer.
To copy data from the source computer:
1
On the source computer, insert the wizard disk.
2
Click
3
In the
media) and click
4
On the
5
On the
6
On the
7
On the
After the information has been copied, the
8
Click
To transfer data to the destination computer:
1
On the
2
On the
settings and files and click
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your destination computer.
Do you have a Windows XP CD?
→
Next.
click
Next
.
Start→
Finish
Run
.
Open
field on the
OK
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Which computer is this?
Select a transfer method
What do you want to transfer?
.
Now go to your old computer
Where are the files and settings?
Run
window, browse to the path for
.
screen, click
screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
Next
. Follow the instructions on the screen.
screen, click
Now go to your old computer
welcome screen, click
Old Computer→
screen, select the items you want to transfer and click
Completing the Collection Phase
screen on the destination computer, click
screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following
fastwiz
(on the appropriate removable
Next
.
Next
.
screen appears.
Next
message appears,
Next
.
.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the
3
Click
Finished
NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for document #PA1089586 (How Do I
Transfer Files From My Old Computer to My New Dell Computer Using the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating
System?).
NOTE: Access to the Dell™ Knowledge Base document may not be available in some countries.
Microsoft Windows Vista
1
Click the Windows Vista Start button, , and then click
Easy Transfer.
2
In the
User Account Control
3
Click
Start a new transfer
and restart the destination computer.
®
dialog box, click
or
Continue a transfer in progress
Continue
Finished
Transfer files and settings→
.
Transferring Information to Another Computer29
screen appears.
Start Windows
.
Follow the instructions provided on the screen by the Windows Easy Transfer wizard.
Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista
NOTE: Dell does not provide the Easy Transfer Cable.
1
Insert the Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista Application Software media into the computer from
which you are transferring data.
2
Follow the on-screen instructions until you are prompted to connect the Transfer Cable.
3
Connect the Easy Transfer Cable to the source computer.
You are prompted to select a device option.
4
Continue until you are prompted to plug the other end of the Easy Transfer Cable into the destination
computer.
The screen indicates that a connection has been made.
5
At the computer from which you are transferring data, follow the on-screen instructions to select the
settings and files you want to transfer.
6
You will come to a screen that indicates that you are ready to transfer files.
7
From the destination computer, view the transfer and wait for the indication that the transfer is
complete.
8
Select
Close
.
You are prompted to restart the computer.
9
Select
Yes
.
The computer reboots and the transfer is complete.
30Transferring Information to Another Computer
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