Dell Technology Guide
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represents Windows XP Start button. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellConnect, StrikeZone, Wi-Fi Catcher, ExpressCharge, and Dell TravelLite are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Blu-ray Disc Association; Blu-ray Disc is strictly forbidden..... © 2007-2008 Dell Inc. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death Steps pertaining to Microsoft® Windows Vista® and Windows® XP refer to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in this document is subject to...
represents Windows XP Start button. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellConnect, StrikeZone, Wi-Fi Catcher, ExpressCharge, and Dell TravelLite are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Blu-ray Disc Association; Blu-ray Disc is strictly forbidden..... © 2007-2008 Dell Inc. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death Steps pertaining to Microsoft® Windows Vista® and Windows® XP refer to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively 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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... Deleting Program Shortcuts on 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...
... Deleting Program Shortcuts on 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...
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... Circular Scrolling 62 Single Finger Zoom 63 Cleaning the Touch Pad 63 Using a Touch Pointer (Track Stick or Tablet PC Pen 63 Contents 5 Windows® XP 49 Troubleshooting 50 Choosing the Best Display Settings 50 Setting the Display Resolution for External LCD Monitors 50 Setting the Display for Multiple Monitors 51...
... Circular Scrolling 62 Single Finger Zoom 63 Cleaning the Touch Pad 63 Using a Touch Pointer (Track Stick or Tablet PC Pen 63 Contents 5 Windows® XP 49 Troubleshooting 50 Choosing the Best Display Settings 50 Setting the Display Resolution for External LCD Monitors 50 Setting the Display for Multiple Monitors 51...
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... 68 General Keyboard Shortcuts 69 5 Printers-Settings and Drivers 71 Accessing Printer Information 71 Changing Printer Settings 72 For Windows Vista 72 For Windows® XP 72 Setting up Printers 73 Adding a Printer 73 Setting the Default Printer 74 Sharing Printers on a Network 74 Installing a Printer Driver 75 6 Drives and Media...
... 68 General Keyboard Shortcuts 69 5 Printers-Settings and Drivers 71 Accessing Printer Information 71 Changing Printer Settings 72 For Windows Vista 72 For Windows® XP 72 Setting up Printers 73 Adding a Printer 73 Setting the Default Printer 74 Sharing Printers on a Network 74 Installing a Printer Driver 75 6 Drives and Media...
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... RAID Level 5 Configuration 87 Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode 87 Configuring RAID 88 7 Shutting Down Your Computer 99 Windows Vista 99 Windows® XP 99 Shutdown States 101 Microsoft® Windows Vista 101 Windows®...
... RAID Level 5 Configuration 87 Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode 87 Configuring RAID 88 7 Shutting Down Your Computer 99 Windows Vista 99 Windows® XP 99 Shutdown States 101 Microsoft® Windows Vista 101 Windows®...
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Hot Undocking 104 Undocking Without Shutting Down 104 Shutting Down Your Computer When it Fails to Shut Down Normally 105 Shutting Down a Stalled or "Frozen" Computer 105 Shutting Down a Computer When it is Running- Ending a Program That is not Responding . . . . 101 Ending a Process 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 ...
Hot Undocking 104 Undocking Without Shutting Down 104 Shutting Down Your Computer When it Fails to Shut Down Normally 105 Shutting Down a Stalled or "Frozen" Computer 105 Shutting Down a Computer When it is Running- Ending a Program That is not Responding . . . . 101 Ending a Process 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 ...
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...New Computer . . 116 Transferring Files From a Computer Running Windows XP to a Computer Running Windows Vista 116 Transferring Files Between Computers Running Windows XP 117 Backing up Files 117 Windows Vista 117 Windows XP 118 Running Backup When the Settings Have Been Preconfigured 118 Running ...Backup With Hidden Drives 119 Restoring Files 119 Windows Vista 119 Windows XP 119 9 Managing Applications (Programs) . . . 121 Installing Applications on Your Computer 121 Installing Applications From a CD or DVD ...
...New Computer . . 116 Transferring Files From a Computer Running Windows XP to a Computer Running Windows Vista 116 Transferring Files Between Computers Running Windows XP 117 Backing up Files 117 Windows Vista 117 Windows XP 118 Running Backup When the Settings Have Been Preconfigured 118 Running ...Backup With Hidden Drives 119 Restoring Files 119 Windows Vista 119 Windows XP 119 9 Managing Applications (Programs) . . . 121 Installing Applications on Your Computer 121 Installing Applications From a CD or DVD ...
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Removing Applications From Your Computer . . . . . 123 Windows Vista 123 Windows XP 123 Ending an Application When it Does not Respond 124 10 Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security) . . . . 125 Performing Maintenance Tasks to ... 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 Tuning 129 NVIDIA Performance 129 NVIDIA Monitor 130 Cleaning Up ...
Removing Applications From Your Computer . . . . . 123 Windows Vista 123 Windows XP 123 Ending an Application When it Does not Respond 124 10 Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security) . . . . 125 Performing Maintenance Tasks to ... 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 Tuning 129 NVIDIA Performance 129 NVIDIA Monitor 130 Cleaning Up ...
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...Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries) . . . 135 Setting Power Options 135 Windows Vista 135 Windows® XP 137 Power Protection Devices 140 Surge Protector 140 Power Line Conditioner 140 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS 141 Laptop Computer Batteries 141 ...Charge 143 Conserving Battery Power 145 Charging the Battery 145 Storing a Battery 146 US Department of Transportation (DOT) Notebook Battery Restrictions 146 Dell™ ControlPoint Power Manager 146 12 Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband 149 Overview 149 Local Area Networks (LAN 150 What You Need...
...Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries) . . . 135 Setting Power Options 135 Windows Vista 135 Windows® XP 137 Power Protection Devices 140 Surge Protector 140 Power Line Conditioner 140 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS 141 Laptop Computer Batteries 141 ...Charge 143 Conserving Battery Power 145 Charging the Battery 145 Storing a Battery 146 US Department of Transportation (DOT) Notebook Battery Restrictions 146 Dell™ ControlPoint Power Manager 146 12 Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband 149 Overview 149 Local Area Networks (LAN 150 What You Need...
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... . . . . . 160 Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network . . 160 Activating Mobile Broadband Service 160 Managing the Network With the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility 161 WiMAX 161 WPAN 162 Managing Your Network 162 Securing Your Network 162 Securing Your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN 164... Ensuring Security When Using Public Wi-Fi Networks (Hotspots 165 Locating Networks With the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator 166 Scanning for a Wireless Network 167 Enabling the Network Locator 167 Managing Networked Computers With...
... . . . . . 160 Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network . . 160 Activating Mobile Broadband Service 160 Managing the Network With the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility 161 WiMAX 161 WPAN 162 Managing Your Network 162 Securing Your Network 162 Securing Your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN 164... Ensuring Security When Using Public Wi-Fi Networks (Hotspots 165 Locating Networks With the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator 166 Scanning for a Wireless Network 167 Enabling the Network Locator 167 Managing Networked Computers With...
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... to the Internet. . . . . 171 Web Browsers for Viewing Internet Sites . . . . . 172 Web Addresses 173 Setting up Your Internet Connection 173 Windows Vista 173 Windows® XP 174 Troubleshooting Problems Connecting to the Internet 175 Web Browser Settings 175 Setting the Browser Home Page 175 Setting the Way the Browser Displays Web...
... to the Internet. . . . . 171 Web Browsers for Viewing Internet Sites . . . . . 172 Web Addresses 173 Setting up Your Internet Connection 173 Windows Vista 173 Windows® XP 174 Troubleshooting Problems Connecting to the Internet 175 Web Browser Settings 175 Setting the Browser Home Page 175 Setting the Way the Browser Displays Web...
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... Files Folder 188 Maintaining Privacy by Blocking and Deleting Cookies 189 14 E-mail 191 Setting up a new E-mail Account 191 Windows Vista 192 Windows® XP 192 Managing and Organizing E-mail Messages . . . . . 192 Windows Vista 192 Windows XP 194 Securing Your E-mail 194 Reducing Spam 195 Viruses and Phishing 196 14 Contents
... Files Folder 188 Maintaining Privacy by Blocking and Deleting Cookies 189 14 E-mail 191 Setting up a new E-mail Account 191 Windows Vista 192 Windows® XP 192 Managing and Organizing E-mail Messages . . . . . 192 Windows Vista 192 Windows XP 194 Securing Your E-mail 194 Reducing Spam 195 Viruses and Phishing 196 14 Contents
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Avoiding E-mail Attachments 197 Viewing E-mail Messages 197 Sending E-mail 197 Windows Vista 197 Windows XP 198 Creating a Contact Group (Mailing List 198 Windows Vista 198 Windows XP 199 Backing Up E-mail Messages 200 Windows Vista 200 Windows XP 200 15 Multimedia (CDs/DVDs, 5.1 Audio, MP3s, TVs, Digital Cameras, and Projectors 203 Overview 203...
Avoiding E-mail Attachments 197 Viewing E-mail Messages 197 Sending E-mail 197 Windows Vista 197 Windows XP 198 Creating a Contact Group (Mailing List 198 Windows Vista 198 Windows XP 199 Backing Up E-mail Messages 200 Windows Vista 200 Windows XP 200 15 Multimedia (CDs/DVDs, 5.1 Audio, MP3s, TVs, Digital Cameras, and Projectors 203 Overview 203...
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Copying Audio and Video Files to Your Laptop Media Device 209 Playing Media Using the Dell Travel Remote . . . . . 210 Adjusting the Volume on Your Computer 210 Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Through the Media Software 210 Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio in the ...
Copying Audio and Video Files to Your Laptop Media Device 209 Playing Media Using the Dell Travel Remote . . . . . 210 Adjusting the Volume on Your Computer 210 Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Through the Media Software 210 Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio in the ...
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... Features . . . . 245 Getting Help for Video Display Resolution Problems 245 Adjusting Display Settings With the Vendor Video Card Control Panel 246 Windows Vista 246 Windows XP 246 Using the Wizards 247 Using a Video Card Wizard to Configure Display Settings 247 Contents 17
... Features . . . . 245 Getting Help for Video Display Resolution Problems 245 Adjusting Display Settings With the Vendor Video Card Control Panel 246 Windows Vista 246 Windows XP 246 Using the Wizards 247 Using a Video Card Wizard to Configure Display Settings 247 Contents 17
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Using a TV Wizard to Configure Display Settings 248 Getting Help for Video Card Control Panels . . . 249 Troubleshooting Display Settings 249 Where to Find Help 249 Resolving Common Problems 249 17 Security and Privacy 251 Protecting Your Computer-Using Administrator Rights, User Groups, and Passwords 251 Administrator Rights 251 User Groups 252 Passwords 253 Smart Cards 254 Fingerprint Readers 254 Facial Recognition Software 255 Using a Firewall to Secure Your Computer 255 Turning On Windows Firewall 255 Encrypting Files and Folders 256 Using Antivirus Software 256 ...
Using a TV Wizard to Configure Display Settings 248 Getting Help for Video Card Control Panels . . . 249 Troubleshooting Display Settings 249 Where to Find Help 249 Resolving Common Problems 249 17 Security and Privacy 251 Protecting Your Computer-Using Administrator Rights, User Groups, and Passwords 251 Administrator Rights 251 User Groups 252 Passwords 253 Smart Cards 254 Fingerprint Readers 254 Facial Recognition Software 255 Using a Firewall to Secure Your Computer 255 Turning On Windows Firewall 255 Encrypting Files and Folders 256 Using Antivirus Software 256 ...
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... 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 20 Troubleshooting 271 Troubleshooting Tools 272 Power Lights...
... 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 20 Troubleshooting 271 Troubleshooting Tools 272 Power Lights...
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Dell Support Center 285 Solving Problems 287 Battery Problems 287 Drive Problems 287 Optical Drive Problems 288 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . . . . . 289 Error Messages 290 ... Scanner Problems 299 Sound and Speaker Problems 299 Touch Pad or Mouse Problems for Laptop Computers 301 Video and Monitor Problems 302 Power Lights 304 Dell Technical Update Service 305 21 System Setup 307 Viewing System Settings With the System Setup Program 307 Entering the System Setup Program 308 Working With...
Dell Support Center 285 Solving Problems 287 Battery Problems 287 Drive Problems 287 Optical Drive Problems 288 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . . . . . 289 Error Messages 290 ... Scanner Problems 299 Sound and Speaker Problems 299 Touch Pad or Mouse Problems for Laptop Computers 301 Video and Monitor Problems 302 Power Lights 304 Dell Technical Update Service 305 21 System Setup 307 Viewing System Settings With the System Setup Program 307 Entering the System Setup Program 308 Working With...
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Changing Boot Sequence to a USB Device . . . . 310 Changing the BIOS Settings 310 Viewing the BIOS Settings 311 Upgrading the BIOS (Flashing the BIOS 311 22 Ports 313 USB Port 313 IEEE 1394 Port 314 RS232 Serial Port 315 Parallel Port 316 eSATA Port 317 Modem 318 Ethernet Port 319 Keyboard and Mouse Port (PS2 320 VGA Port 321 DVI-I Port 322 S-Video TV-Out Port 323 Component Video 324 Composite Video 325 HDMI Port 326 DisplayPort 327 S/PDIF Port (Coaxial RCA 328 Contents 21
Changing Boot Sequence to a USB Device . . . . 310 Changing the BIOS Settings 310 Viewing the BIOS Settings 311 Upgrading the BIOS (Flashing the BIOS 311 22 Ports 313 USB Port 313 IEEE 1394 Port 314 RS232 Serial Port 315 Parallel Port 316 eSATA Port 317 Modem 318 Ethernet Port 319 Keyboard and Mouse Port (PS2 320 VGA Port 321 DVI-I Port 322 S-Video TV-Out Port 323 Component Video 324 Composite Video 325 HDMI Port 326 DisplayPort 327 S/PDIF Port (Coaxial RCA 328 Contents 21