Dell Technology Guide
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..., Windows, Internet Explorer, Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start button logo are either potential damage to all Dell systems. © 2007-2008 Dell Inc. August 2008 Rev. represents Windows Vista Start button. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in default... whatsoever without notice. Intel and iAMT are trademarks of Dell Inc. represents Windows XP Start button. Information in any proprietary interest in the U.S. is subject to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in this document is strictly forbidden. Bluetooth...
..., Windows, Internet Explorer, Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start button logo are either potential damage to all Dell systems. © 2007-2008 Dell Inc. August 2008 Rev. represents Windows Vista Start button. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in default... whatsoever without notice. Intel and iAMT are trademarks of Dell Inc. represents Windows XP Start button. Information in any proprietary interest in the U.S. is subject to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in this document is strictly forbidden. Bluetooth...
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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
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... the Desktop 37 Shortcut Menus 38 Changing the 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...
... the Desktop 37 Shortcut Menus 38 Changing the 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...
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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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... 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 Performance Tuning 129 System Setup Based Performance Tuning . . . . 129 Software Based Performance...
... 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 Performance Tuning 129 System Setup Based Performance Tuning . . . . 129 Software Based Performance...
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... 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 269 Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista . . . . 269...
... 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 269 Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista . . . . 269...
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... side of Windows, but it is consistently located on Your Computer • Wireless Networking • Dell Support Website Finding Information 23 The Start button may differ in appearance depending on the version of the Windows taskbar. Finding Information Start Button From the Microsoft® Windows® operating system desktop, you can click the...
... side of Windows, but it is consistently located on Your Computer • Wireless Networking • Dell Support Website Finding Information 23 The Start button may differ in appearance depending on the version of the Windows taskbar. Finding Information Start Button From the Microsoft® Windows® operating system desktop, you can click the...
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... This information center provides instructions, hints, and general information about Microsoft Windows and explains how to use the search option. 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 glass. 4 Click the topic...
... This information center provides instructions, hints, and general information about Microsoft Windows and explains how to use the search option. 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 glass. 4 Click the topic...
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Finding Information 25 Windows® XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on page 26). Basic Information Click Start → Help and Support→ Tools (from the Pick a Topic options). Windows Vista® Basic Computer Information Click Start → Control Panel→ System and ... can also view more details about your computer through the Control Panel (see "Control Panel" 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 ...
Finding Information 25 Windows® XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on page 26). Basic Information Click Start → Help and Support→ Tools (from the Pick a Topic options). Windows Vista® Basic Computer Information Click Start → Control Panel→ System and ... can also view more details about your computer through the Control Panel (see "Control Panel" 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 ...
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: See Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. 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 Control Panel To manage viewing features and computer functions, click Start or → Control Panel.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: See Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. 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 Control Panel To manage viewing features and computer functions, click Start or → Control Panel.
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...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 ... and configuration information. Finding Information 27 Windows Vista® Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System→ Device Manager (listed under Tasks). Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→ System...
...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 ... and configuration information. Finding Information 27 Windows Vista® Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System→ Device Manager (listed under Tasks). Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→ System...
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... information about connecting to access device guide for a specific program: Windows Vista® 1 Click Start →Search. 2 Enter the name of the program and click Search. Programs Installed on Your Computer Click Start or → All Programs to view available programs. If a program is available in the following... Help and Support See Microsoft Windows Help and Support to a wireless network, as well as managing a wireless network connection. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in basic networking.
... information about connecting to access device guide for a specific program: Windows Vista® 1 Click Start →Search. 2 Enter the name of the program and click Search. Programs Installed on Your Computer Click Start or → All Programs to view available programs. If a program is available in the following... Help and Support See Microsoft Windows Help and Support to a wireless network, as well as managing a wireless network connection. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in basic networking.
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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. The components of the screen. Microsoft Windows Desktop 33
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... area Includes a clock and icons associated with it . The basic sections of the desktop, although you move or resize your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics"...If you can relocate it . The taskbar provides quick access to frequently-used programs, files, or utilities on your computer. Taskbar Start button Quick Launch toolbar taskbar button notification area Overview The Windows taskbar is usually located at the bottom of the taskbar are...
... area Includes a clock and icons associated with it . The basic sections of the desktop, although you move or resize your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics"...If you can relocate it . The taskbar provides quick access to frequently-used programs, files, or utilities on your computer. Taskbar Start button Quick Launch toolbar taskbar button notification area Overview The Windows taskbar is usually located at the bottom of the taskbar are...
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...a shortcut menu. 3 Click Show the Desktop. Displaying the Taskbar 1 Right-click on an open area of the taskbar. 2 Click Properties.The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears. 3 Customize the taskbar by choosing the icons it again. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click... Start or → Help and Support. As you open area of other windows. Displaying Hidden Icons From the Notification Area The Notification area ...
...a shortcut menu. 3 Click Show the Desktop. Displaying the Taskbar 1 Right-click on an open area of the taskbar. 2 Click Properties.The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears. 3 Customize the taskbar by choosing the icons it again. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click... Start or → Help and Support. As you open area of other windows. Displaying Hidden Icons From the Notification Area The Notification area ...
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... the file or folder, and click OK. 4 Click Next. 5 Name the shortcut, and then click Finish. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click the Start button, select Explore. Microsoft Windows Desktop 37 Creating and Deleting Program Shortcuts on the item, highlight Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut). If... deleting the shortcut link. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. HINT: If you delete an icon with an arrow, you are deleting the file or folder, not just...
... the file or folder, and click OK. 4 Click Next. 5 Name the shortcut, and then click Finish. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click the Start button, select Explore. Microsoft Windows Desktop 37 Creating and Deleting Program Shortcuts on the item, highlight Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut). If... deleting the shortcut link. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. HINT: If you delete an icon with an arrow, you are deleting the file or folder, not just...
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Changing the Desktop Appearance Start button Control Panel Display Properties window You can manage your desktop by changing various components. Windows Vista® From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open ... size and appearance, and monitor settings from the Display Properties Menu screen. Use the tabs to select the items you want to adjust. From the Start menu: Microsoft Windows Desktop 39 You can personalize the appearance of the desktop. 2 Click Personalize, and the Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the...
Changing the Desktop Appearance Start button Control Panel Display Properties window You can manage your desktop by changing various components. Windows Vista® From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open ... size and appearance, and monitor settings from the Display Properties Menu screen. Use the tabs to select the items you want to adjust. From the Start menu: Microsoft Windows Desktop 39 You can personalize the appearance of the desktop. 2 Click Personalize, and the Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the...
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...: 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 Windows® XP From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of the desktop. 2 Click Properties. 3 Click ...Display. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance and Themes window appears...
...: 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 Windows® XP From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of the desktop. 2 Click Properties. 3 Click ...Display. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance and Themes window appears...
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4 Select the length of time for 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 to access 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'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 to access 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.
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... by dragging an icon from a program, folder, or file onto the Start button. 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. Microsoft Windows Desktop 43 You can add shortcuts to... restart or shut down your computer. HINT: You can use the Start menu to the Start menu by selecting the desired option on page 99. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Start button, see "Windows Basics" in your computer. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more...
... by dragging an icon from a program, folder, or file onto the Start button. 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. Microsoft Windows Desktop 43 You can add shortcuts to... restart or shut down your computer. HINT: You can use the Start menu to the Start menu by selecting the desired option on page 99. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Start button, see "Windows Basics" in your computer. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more...