Dell Technology Guide
Page 2
... potential damage to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in trademarks and trade names other countries.; and other than its own. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark owned by Dell Inc. disclaims any manner whatsoever without notice. represents Windows Vista Start button. represents Windows XP Start button. A01 and is used by Bluetooth...
... potential damage to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in trademarks and trade names other countries.; and other than its own. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark owned by Dell Inc. disclaims any manner whatsoever without notice. represents Windows Vista Start button. represents Windows XP Start button. A01 and is used by Bluetooth...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 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
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
Page 4
... 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...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 8
... That 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...
... That 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...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 10
... 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...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 19
... 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...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 23
... to access resources, programs, and specialized tools for managing the way Windows appears and functions on your computer. Start button From the Start button menu, you can access: • Microsoft Windows Help and Support • Control Panel • Information About Installed Hardware •...; Device Manager • Programs Installed on the left side of the Windows taskbar. The Start button may differ in appearance depending on the version of Windows, but it is consistently located on Your Computer • Wireless Networking •...
... to access resources, programs, and specialized tools for managing the way Windows appears and functions on your computer. Start button From the Start button menu, you can access: • Microsoft Windows Help and Support • Control Panel • Information About Installed Hardware •...; Device Manager • Programs Installed on the left side of the Windows taskbar. The Start button may differ in appearance depending on the version of Windows, but it is consistently located on Your Computer • Wireless Networking •...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 24
... → Help and Support. 2 Click the topic or task you want to documentation for your computer. 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 that describes your ...
... → Help and Support. 2 Click the topic or task you want to documentation for your computer. 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 that describes your ...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 25
Finding Information 25 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 (see "Control Panel" on page 26). Basic Information Click Start → Help and Support...
Finding Information 25 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 (see "Control Panel" on page 26). Basic Information Click Start → Help and Support...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 26
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. FOR MORE INFORMATION: See Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support.
Dell Technology Guide
Page 27
...table identifying the component or device name and related setting and configuration information. Finding Information 27 Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→ System→ Hardware tab→ Device Manager. Hardware Devices ...Installed on Your Computer Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Information. Device Specifications 1 Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System...
...table identifying the component or device name and related setting and configuration information. Finding Information 27 Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→ System→ Hardware tab→ Device Manager. Hardware Devices ...Installed on Your Computer Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Information. Device Specifications 1 Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 28
...See Microsoft Windows Help and Support for general 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. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about wireless networking, see .... The "Networking and the Web" topic provides an overview, requirements, details on page 149. 28 Finding Information Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in your computer. Wireless Networking Wireless network...
...See Microsoft Windows Help and Support for general 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. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about wireless networking, see .... The "Networking and the Web" topic provides an overview, requirements, details on page 149. 28 Finding Information Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in your computer. Wireless Networking Wireless network...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 33
Microsoft Windows Desktop 33 Microsoft Windows Desktop desktop shortcut icons Start button taskbar notification area Overview The Microsoft® Windows® desktop is the display screen area that is usually located at the bottom of the desktop include a background, icons, shortcuts, and a taskbar 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 the display screen area that is usually located at the bottom of the desktop include a background, icons, shortcuts, and a taskbar that appears after the Windows operating system starts up. The components of the screen.
Dell Technology Guide
Page 34
... 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 the desktop, or to the Start menu, which lists the programs and system utilities installed in Windows Help and Support: click... → Help and Support. Quick Launch toolbar Contains icons for open minimized windows on your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop The taskbar provides quick access to open application programs. notification area Includes ...
... 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 the desktop, or to the Start menu, which lists the programs and system utilities installed in Windows Help and Support: click... → Help and Support. Quick Launch toolbar Contains icons for open minimized windows on your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop The taskbar provides quick access to open application programs. notification area Includes ...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 35
...checking the desired boxes on the Taskbar tab. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Click the required icon to display a shortcut menu. 3 ...hides. 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 minimizing all open windows at once: 1 Position the cursor... over an open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 3 On the Taskbar tab, select Keep the taskbar on the right side of...
...checking the desired boxes on the Taskbar tab. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Click the required icon to display a shortcut menu. 3 ...hides. 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 minimizing all open windows at once: 1 Position the cursor... over an open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 3 On the Taskbar tab, select Keep the taskbar on the right side of...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 37
...are deleting the file or folder, not just a link to , and then click Desktop (create shortcut). Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click the Start button, select Explore. HINT: If you delete an icon with an arrow, you are simply deleting the shortcut link. Navigate to the folder or file...click Finish. Microsoft Windows Desktop 37 FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Using the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of the desktop, highlight New, then click Shortcut. 2 In...
...are deleting the file or folder, not just a link to , and then click Desktop (create shortcut). Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click the Start button, select Explore. HINT: If you delete an icon with an arrow, you are simply deleting the shortcut link. Navigate to the folder or file...click Finish. Microsoft Windows Desktop 37 FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Using the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of the desktop, highlight New, then click Shortcut. 2 In...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 39
... Properties window. Use the tabs to select the items you want to adjust. Changing the Desktop Appearance Start button Control Panel Display Properties window You can manage your desktop by changing various components. From the Start menu: Microsoft Windows Desktop 39 Most of the desktop. 2 Click Personalize, and the Personalize appearance and...
... Properties window. Use the tabs to select the items you want to adjust. Changing the Desktop Appearance Start button Control Panel Display Properties window You can manage your desktop by changing various components. From the Start menu: Microsoft Windows Desktop 39 Most of the desktop. 2 Click Personalize, and the Personalize appearance and...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 40
The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow the instructions provided. Windows® XP From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of the desktop. 2 Click Properties. 3 Click Display. FOR MORE ...desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. 40 Microsoft Windows Desktop 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Personalization. 2 Click Personalization. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance...
The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow the instructions provided. Windows® XP From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open area of the desktop. 2 Click Properties. 3 Click Display. FOR MORE ...desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. 40 Microsoft Windows Desktop 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Personalization. 2 Click Personalization. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 42
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. 4 Select the length of time for your computer's performance • Windows Help and Support 42 Microsoft Windows Desktop NOTE: After the screen saver activates, you may need to log-in to remain inactive before the screen saver appears. 5 Click OK.
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. 4 Select the length of time for your computer's performance • Windows Help and Support 42 Microsoft Windows Desktop NOTE: After the screen saver activates, you may need to log-in to remain inactive before the screen saver appears. 5 Click OK.
Dell Technology Guide
Page 43
...learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Start Button" on page 23. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Start button, see "Windows Basics" in your computer. The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears. 3 Customize the Start menu by dragging an icon from a program... Windows Desktop 43 The programs available on the Start menu depend on the software installed in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Customizing the Start Menu Customize the Start menu through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 1 Right-click an open...
...learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Start Button" on page 23. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Start button, see "Windows Basics" in your computer. The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears. 3 Customize the Start menu by dragging an icon from a program... Windows Desktop 43 The programs available on the Start menu depend on the software installed in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Customizing the Start Menu Customize the Start menu through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 1 Right-click an open...