Dell Technology Guide
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... to avoid the problem. Information in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellConnect, StrikeZone, Wi-Fi Catcher, ExpressCharge, and Dell TravelLite are registered trademarks of Dell Inc. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark owned by Dell Inc. disclaims any manner whatsoever without notice. A01 represents Windows XP Start button. Trademarks used in this document is subject to...
... to avoid the problem. Information in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellConnect, StrikeZone, Wi-Fi Catcher, ExpressCharge, and Dell TravelLite are registered trademarks of Dell Inc. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark owned by Dell Inc. disclaims any manner whatsoever without notice. A01 represents Windows XP Start button. Trademarks used in this document is subject to...
Dell Technology Guide
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Contents 1 Finding Information 23 Start Button 23 Microsoft Windows Help and Support 24 Windows Vista 25 Windows® XP 25 Control Panel 26 Information About Installed Hardware 26 Device Manager 26 Hardware Devices Installed on Your Computer 27 Programs Installed on Your Computer 28 Wireless Networking 28 Dell Support Website 29 Technical Support 29 Customer Service 30 Warranty Information 30 Dell Forums 31 Contact Us 31 BIOS (System Setup Program) Settings 31 2 Microsoft Windows Desktop 33 Overview 33 Taskbar 34 Contents 3
Contents 1 Finding Information 23 Start Button 23 Microsoft Windows Help and Support 24 Windows Vista 25 Windows® XP 25 Control Panel 26 Information About Installed Hardware 26 Device Manager 26 Hardware Devices Installed on Your Computer 27 Programs Installed on Your Computer 28 Wireless Networking 28 Dell Support Website 29 Technical Support 29 Customer Service 30 Warranty Information 30 Dell Forums 31 Contact Us 31 BIOS (System Setup Program) Settings 31 2 Microsoft Windows Desktop 33 Overview 33 Taskbar 34 Contents 3
Dell Technology Guide
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... Desktop Appearance 39 Windows Vista 39 Windows® XP 40 Setting up a Screen Saver 41 Windows Vista 41 Windows XP 41 Start Button (Menu 42 Overview 42 Customizing the Start Menu 43 Control Panel 44 Accessing and Using the Control Panel 45 Customizing Your Computer Settings 45 Managing Your Computer Performance 45...
... Desktop Appearance 39 Windows Vista 39 Windows® XP 40 Setting up a Screen Saver 41 Windows Vista 41 Windows XP 41 Start Button (Menu 42 Overview 42 Customizing the Start Menu 43 Control Panel 44 Accessing and Using the Control Panel 45 Customizing Your Computer Settings 45 Managing Your Computer Performance 45...
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... it is not Responding . . . . 103 Docking and Undocking Your Laptop Computer. . . . 104 Undocking Your Computer While it Stops Responding and Displays a Solid Blue Screen 106 Starting Your Computer in Safe Mode 107 Restarting Your Computer After a Power Loss . . . . 108 8 Files and Folders 109 Navigating to Files 110 Selecting and Opening Files...
... it is not Responding . . . . 103 Docking and Undocking Your Laptop Computer. . . . 104 Undocking Your Computer While it Stops Responding and Displays a Solid Blue Screen 106 Starting Your Computer in Safe Mode 107 Restarting Your Computer After a Power Loss . . . . 108 8 Files and Folders 109 Navigating to Files 110 Selecting and Opening Files...
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... Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security) . . . . 125 Performing Maintenance Tasks to Increase Computer Speed and Ensure Security 125 Cleaning Your Computer 126 Before You Start 126 Cleaning the Computer 126 Cleaning Optical Drives and Optical Drive Media 126 Managing Your Computer Performance 127 Windows Vista 127 Windows® XP 128...
... Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security) . . . . 125 Performing Maintenance Tasks to Increase Computer Speed and Ensure Security 125 Cleaning Your Computer 126 Before You Start 126 Cleaning the Computer 126 Cleaning Optical Drives and Optical Drive Media 126 Managing Your Computer Performance 127 Windows Vista 127 Windows® XP 128...
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... System . . . . . 265 Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore . . . . . 265 Starting System Restore 266 Undoing the Last System Restore 266 Enabling System Restore 267 Using Dell™ PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore 267 Windows Vista: Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . 268 Using the Operating System Media 269 Before you Begin... . . 274 Diagnostic Lights for Laptop Computers 275 System Messages for Desktop Computers. . . . . 275 System Messages for Laptop Computers . . . . . 276 Windows Hardware Troubleshooter 280 Running the Dell Diagnostics 281 Contents 19
... System . . . . . 265 Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore . . . . . 265 Starting System Restore 266 Undoing the Last System Restore 266 Enabling System Restore 267 Using Dell™ PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore 267 Windows Vista: Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . 268 Using the Operating System Media 269 Before you Begin... . . 274 Diagnostic Lights for Laptop Computers 275 System Messages for Desktop Computers. . . . . 275 System Messages for Laptop Computers . . . . . 276 Windows Hardware Troubleshooter 280 Running the Dell Diagnostics 281 Contents 19
Dell Technology Guide
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...in appearance depending on the version of Windows, but it is consistently located on the left side of the Windows taskbar. Start button From the Start button menu, you can access: • Microsoft Windows Help and Support • Control Panel • Information About ...; Programs Installed on Your Computer • Wireless Networking • Dell Support Website Finding Information 23 Finding Information Start Button From the Microsoft® Windows® operating system desktop, you can click the Start button to access resources, programs, and specialized tools for managing the...
...in appearance depending on the version of Windows, but it is consistently located on the left side of the Windows taskbar. Start button From the Start button menu, you can access: • Microsoft Windows Help and Support • Control Panel • Information About ...; Programs Installed on Your Computer • Wireless Networking • Dell Support Website Finding Information 23 Finding Information Start Button From the Microsoft® Windows® operating system desktop, you can click the Start button to access resources, programs, and specialized tools for managing the...
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... → Help and Support. 2 Click the topic or task you want to perform. 3 If the specific task is not listed, use available features. In the Start Search field (or Search in Windows XP), type a word or phrase that describes your question, and then press or click the arrow or the magnifying...
... → Help and Support. 2 Click the topic or task you want to perform. 3 If the specific task is not listed, use available features. In the Start Search field (or Search in Windows XP), type a word or phrase that describes your question, and then press or click the arrow or the magnifying...
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... view more details about your computer information. Windows® XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on your computer, click Start → Help and Support→ Dell User and System guides (from the Pick a Task options) to view your computer information and to view your computer through the Control Panel...
... view more details about your computer information. Windows® XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on your computer, click Start → Help and Support→ Dell User and System guides (from the Pick a Task options) to view your computer information and to view your computer through the Control Panel...
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: See Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Control Panel To manage viewing features and computer functions, click Start or → Control Panel. Information About Installed Hardware Device Manager Use the Device Manager to view a list of all devices installed on your computer and to learn more about how a specific device is configured. 26 Finding Information
FOR MORE INFORMATION: See Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Control Panel To manage viewing features and computer functions, click Start or → Control Panel. Information About Installed Hardware Device Manager Use the Device Manager to view a list of all devices installed on your computer and to learn more about how a specific device is configured. 26 Finding Information
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...computer's hardware components, see the View your computer information topic in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Exporting System Information as a Text File 1 Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Information. 2 On the... to expand the Components category. 3 Click the device category to expand the Components category. Windows Vista® Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System→ Device Manager (listed under Tasks). Hardware Devices Installed on Your Computer...
...computer's hardware components, see the View your computer information topic in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Exporting System Information as a Text File 1 Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Information. 2 On the... to expand the Components category. 3 Click the device category to expand the Components category. Windows Vista® Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System→ Device Manager (listed under Tasks). Hardware Devices Installed on Your Computer...
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Programs Installed on Your Computer Click Start or → All Programs to view available programs. If a program is available in the following sources: Device guides Windows Help and Support See Microsoft Windows ... the Search field. 3 Press . See Microsoft Windows Help and Support for a specific program: Windows Vista® 1 Click Start →Search. 2 Enter the name of the program and click Search. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in basic networking. The "Networking...
Programs Installed on Your Computer Click Start or → All Programs to view available programs. If a program is available in the following sources: Device guides Windows Help and Support See Microsoft Windows ... the Search field. 3 Press . See Microsoft Windows Help and Support for a specific program: Windows Vista® 1 Click Start →Search. 2 Enter the name of the program and click Search. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in basic networking. The "Networking...
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The components of the screen. Microsoft Windows Desktop 33 Microsoft Windows Desktop desktop shortcut icons Start button taskbar notification area Overview The Microsoft® Windows® desktop is usually located at the bottom of the desktop include a background, icons, shortcuts, and a taskbar that is the display screen area that appears after the Windows operating system starts up.
The components of the screen. Microsoft Windows Desktop 33 Microsoft Windows Desktop desktop shortcut icons Start button taskbar notification area Overview The Microsoft® Windows® desktop is usually located at the bottom of the desktop include a background, icons, shortcuts, and a taskbar that is the display screen area that appears after the Windows operating system starts up.
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... Quick Launch toolbar taskbar button notification area Overview The Windows taskbar is usually located at the bottom of the taskbar are: Start button Provides access to frequently-used programs, files, or utilities on your computer. The basic sections of the desktop, although ...move or resize your computer. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop Quick Launch toolbar Contains icons for quick access to programs. taskbar button area Contains ...
... Quick Launch toolbar taskbar button notification area Overview The Windows taskbar is usually located at the bottom of the taskbar are: Start button Provides access to frequently-used programs, files, or utilities on your computer. The basic sections of the desktop, although ...move or resize your computer. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop Quick Launch toolbar Contains icons for quick access to programs. taskbar button area Contains ...
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...see "Windows Basics" in the Notification Area Customize the taskbar by choosing the icons it again. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Click the required icon to temporarily display the hidden icons. Click the arrow on the right side of the ...the Taskbar tab. As you open applications and files, you may not be able to open area of the taskbar. 2 Click Properties.The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears. 3 Customize the taskbar by minimizing all open windows at once: 1 Position the cursor over an open area of the taskbar...
...see "Windows Basics" in the Notification Area Customize the taskbar by choosing the icons it again. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Click the required icon to temporarily display the hidden icons. Click the arrow on the right side of the ...the Taskbar tab. As you open applications and files, you may not be able to open area of the taskbar. 2 Click Properties.The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears. 3 Customize the taskbar by minimizing all open windows at once: 1 Position the cursor over an open area of the taskbar...
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..., select Explore. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Navigate to the folder or file to which you want the shortcut to link to. 3 Highlight the file or folder, ...
..., select Explore. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Navigate to the folder or file to which you want the shortcut to link to. 3 Highlight the file or folder, ...
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.... Windows Vista® From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of these components are accessible through the Display Properties window. Changing the Desktop Appearance Start button Control Panel Display Properties window You can manage your desktop by changing various components. You can personalize the appearance of your computer's desktop theme...
.... Windows Vista® From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of these components are accessible through the Display Properties window. Changing the Desktop Appearance Start button Control Panel Display Properties window You can manage your desktop by changing various components. You can personalize the appearance of your computer's desktop theme...
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...Click Personalization. The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow the instructions provided. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance and Themes window appears. 3 Review the available options and...FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. 40 Microsoft Windows Desktop The Display Properties window appears. 4 Review the available options and follow ...
...Click Personalization. The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow the instructions provided. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance and Themes window appears. 3 Review the available options and...FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. 40 Microsoft Windows Desktop The Display Properties window appears. 4 Review the available options and follow ...
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Start Button (Menu) Overview The Start button opens the Start menu, which provides access to: • Control Panel • Programs • Files • Computer settings • Tools that monitor your computer. NOTE: After the screen saver activates, you may need to log-in to remain inactive before the screen saver appears. 5 Click OK. 4 Select the length of time for your computer to access your computer's performance • Windows Help and Support 42 Microsoft Windows Desktop
Start Button (Menu) Overview The Start button opens the Start menu, which provides access to: • Control Panel • Programs • Files • Computer settings • Tools that monitor your computer. NOTE: After the screen saver activates, you may need to log-in to remain inactive before the screen saver appears. 5 Click OK. 4 Select the length of time for your computer to access your computer's performance • Windows Help and Support 42 Microsoft Windows Desktop
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... by dragging an icon from a program, folder, or file onto the Start button. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Start Button" on page 23. Customizing the Start Menu Customize the Start menu through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 1 Right-click an open area of the taskbar. 2 Select Properties...
... by dragging an icon from a program, folder, or file onto the Start button. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Start Button" on page 23. Customizing the Start Menu Customize the Start menu through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 1 Right-click an open area of the taskbar. 2 Select Properties...