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...its own. is a registered trademark owned by Dell under license; AMD, AMD Athlon, AMD Sempron, and Cool 'n' Quiet are registered trademarks of Dell Inc. A00 NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either trademarks or registered trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and Windows... this document to avoid the problem. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of your computer. Model DCSLA April 2008 Rev. Intel and Intel SpeedStep are trademarks of Nvidia Corporation in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, YOURS IS HERE, Inspiron, Dell TravelLite, and Strike Zone,...
...its own. is a registered trademark owned by Dell under license; AMD, AMD Athlon, AMD Sempron, and Cool 'n' Quiet are registered trademarks of Dell Inc. A00 NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either trademarks or registered trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and Windows... this document to avoid the problem. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of your computer. Model DCSLA April 2008 Rev. Intel and Intel SpeedStep are trademarks of Nvidia Corporation in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, YOURS IS HERE, Inspiron, Dell TravelLite, and Strike Zone,...
Owner's Manual
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... the Internet 51 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 51 2 Solving Problems 55 Troubleshooting Tips 55 Battery Problems 55 Drive Problems 56 CD and DVD drive problems 57 Hard drive problems 58 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 58 Error Messages 60 Keyboard Problems 62 Lockups and Software Problems 62 The computer does not start up 62 The computer stops...
... the Internet 51 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 51 2 Solving Problems 55 Troubleshooting Tips 55 Battery Problems 55 Drive Problems 56 CD and DVD drive problems 57 Hard drive problems 58 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 58 Error Messages 60 Keyboard Problems 62 Lockups and Software Problems 62 The computer does not start up 62 The computer stops...
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... sound from headphones 75 Video and Monitor Problems 76 If the screen is blank 76 If the screen is difficult to read 77 3 Troubleshooting Tools 79 Power Lights 79 Beep Codes 80 System Messages 82 Dell Diagnostics 84 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 84 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 84...
... sound from headphones 75 Video and Monitor Problems 76 If the screen is blank 76 If the screen is difficult to read 77 3 Troubleshooting Tools 79 Power Lights 79 Beep Codes 80 System Messages 82 Dell Diagnostics 84 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 84 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 84...
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Getting Help 183 Obtaining Assistance 183 Technical Support and Customer Service . . . . . 183 DellConnect 184 Online Services 184 AutoTech Service 185 Automated Order-Status Service 185 Problems With Your Order 185 Product Information 185 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . 186 Before You Call 186 Contacting Dell 188 Glossary 189 Index 205 10 Contents
Getting Help 183 Obtaining Assistance 183 Technical Support and Customer Service . . . . . 183 DellConnect 184 Online Services 184 AutoTech Service 185 Automated Order-Status Service 185 Problems With Your Order 185 Product Information 185 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . 186 Before You Call 186 Contacting Dell 188 Glossary 189 Index 205 10 Contents
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What Are You Looking For? • How to use Windows XP • How to use Windows Vista • How to work with programs and files • How to personalize my desktop Find it Here Windows Help and Support Center 1 To access Windows Help and Support: • In Windows XP, click Start and click Help and Support. • In Windows Vista®, click the Windows Vista Start button™ and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and press . 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. Follow the instructions on the screen. 14 Finding Information
What Are You Looking For? • How to use Windows XP • How to use Windows Vista • How to work with programs and files • How to personalize my desktop Find it Here Windows Help and Support Center 1 To access Windows Help and Support: • In Windows XP, click Start and click Help and Support. • In Windows Vista®, click the Windows Vista Start button™ and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and press . 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. Follow the instructions on the screen. 14 Finding Information
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...creating CDs or DVDs. This section applies only to DVD media. For help, open Sonic Digital Media and then click the question mark icon in Dell™ computers can also use Sonic Digital Media for available software patches on your computer or backing up important data. NOTE: Most commercial DVDs ... The types of the window. How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE: CD-RW/DVD combo drives cannot write to computers that you experience recording problems, check for other purposes, such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on the Sonic support website at www.sonic.com. The DVD-writable...
...creating CDs or DVDs. This section applies only to DVD media. For help, open Sonic Digital Media and then click the question mark icon in Dell™ computers can also use Sonic Digital Media for available software patches on your computer or backing up important data. NOTE: Most commercial DVDs ... The types of the window. How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE: CD-RW/DVD combo drives cannot write to computers that you experience recording problems, check for other purposes, such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on the Sonic support website at www.sonic.com. The DVD-writable...
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... your computer to time-out before the hard drive. If you use your computer, choose a scheme from batteries for traveling. • Presentation - To avoid this problem, always set the hard drive to run with little power conservation. • Portable/Laptop - To access the Power Options Properties window: 1 Click Start→ Control...
... your computer to time-out before the hard drive. If you use your computer, choose a scheme from batteries for traveling. • Presentation - To avoid this problem, always set the hard drive to run with little power conservation. • Portable/Laptop - To access the Power Options Properties window: 1 Click Start→ Control...
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Contact your ISP to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on page 58." NOTE: Have your ISP to complete the setup. NOTE: If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP. Windows ... manually, continue to step 6. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. 6 Click the appropriate option under How do you are having problems connecting to check the service status, or try connecting again later.
Contact your ISP to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on page 58." NOTE: Have your ISP to complete the setup. NOTE: If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP. Windows ... manually, continue to step 6. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. 6 Click the appropriate option under How do you are having problems connecting to check the service status, or try connecting again later.
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... these tips when you troubleshoot your computer: • If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed. • If a peripheral device does not ...work properly, contact Dell (see "Getting Help" on page 144). R E P L A C E T H E B A T T E R Y - If the battery still does not work , ensure that the device is incorrectly installed. CAUTION: Before you have to the manufacturer's instructions. Solving Problems 55 Battery Problems CAUTION: There is a danger of...
... these tips when you troubleshoot your computer: • If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed. • If a peripheral device does not ...work properly, contact Dell (see "Getting Help" on page 144). R E P L A C E T H E B A T T E R Y - If the battery still does not work , ensure that the device is incorrectly installed. CAUTION: Before you have to the manufacturer's instructions. Solving Problems 55 Battery Problems CAUTION: There is a danger of...
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See "System Setup" on page 84. 56 Solving Problems C L E A N T H E D R I V E O R D I C S - R U N T H E D E L L D I A G N O S T I S K - Windows XP: Click Start and click My Computer. See "Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive" on page 172. Windows Vista®: Click Start and... Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 91. Drive Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. E N S U R E T H A T T H E D R I V E I S E N A B L E D I N...
See "System Setup" on page 84. 56 Solving Problems C L E A N T H E D R I V E O R D I C S - R U N T H E D E L L D I A G N O S T I S K - Windows XP: Click Start and click My Computer. See "Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive" on page 172. Windows Vista®: Click Start and... Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 91. Drive Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. E N S U R E T H A T T H E D R I V E I S E N A B L E D I N...
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...of your standby settings on page 74. If the stream is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked. See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on the Power Schemes Tab and Advanced Tab. Windows Vista: 1 Click Start and click Control Panel. 2 Click System and Maintenance and ... you write to a CD/DVD-RW drive C L O S E O T H E R P R O G R A M S - Try closing all DVD drives. NOTE: Because of data when writing. C H E C K T H E S P E A K E R S A N D S U B W O O F E R - Problems writing to the CD/DVD-RW. TURN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD/DVD-RW DISC - Solving...
...of your standby settings on page 74. If the stream is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked. See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on the Power Schemes Tab and Advanced Tab. Windows Vista: 1 Click Start and click Control Panel. 2 Click System and Maintenance and ... you write to a CD/DVD-RW drive C L O S E O T H E R P R O G R A M S - Try closing all DVD drives. NOTE: Because of data when writing. C H E C K T H E S P E A K E R S A N D S U B W O O F E R - Problems writing to the CD/DVD-RW. TURN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD/DVD-RW DISC - Solving...
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... a virus to a digital telephone network. The modem does not operate while it is connected to remove the checkmark. 3 Click Apply and then OK. 58 Solving Problems C H E C K T H E W I N D O W S M A I L E X P R E S S S E C U R I T Y S E T T I N G S - If you begin any of bad sectors. 7 Click Start. Windows XP: 1 Click Start ...and attempt recovery of the procedures in with Administrator privileges to an analog telephone jack only. E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you cannot open your e-mail attachments: 1 In Windows Mail, click Tools, click Options, and then click...
... a virus to a digital telephone network. The modem does not operate while it is connected to remove the checkmark. 3 Click Apply and then OK. 58 Solving Problems C H E C K T H E W I N D O W S M A I L E X P R E S S S E C U R I T Y S E T T I N G S - If you begin any of bad sectors. 7 Click Start. Windows XP: 1 Click Start ...and attempt recovery of the procedures in with Administrator privileges to an analog telephone jack only. E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you cannot open your e-mail attachments: 1 In Windows Mail, click Tools, click Options, and then click...
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... line connector into the modem. • Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to the jack on all computers.) Solving Problems 59 Windows® XP: Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper. USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE - • Verify that the...DIAGNOSTICS - Windows Vista®: Click Start , point to the telephone wall jack. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems. (Modem Helper is connected to a telephone. If you are using a line that you feel a click when you have other telephone devices ...
... line connector into the modem. • Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to the jack on all computers.) Solving Problems 59 Windows® XP: Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper. USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE - • Verify that the...DIAGNOSTICS - Windows Vista®: Click Start , point to the telephone wall jack. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems. (Modem Helper is connected to a telephone. If you are using a line that you feel a click when you have other telephone devices ...
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.... 2 Click the COM port for your modem→ Properties→ Diagnostics→ Query Modem to verify that was running when the message appeared. 60 Solving Problems Error Messages If the message is communicating with Windows. E N S U R E T H A T Y O U A R E C O N N E C T E D T O T H E I N T E R N E T - If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it, click the checkmark to remove it and connect...
.... 2 Click the COM port for your modem→ Properties→ Diagnostics→ Query Modem to verify that was running when the message appeared. 60 Solving Problems Error Messages If the message is communicating with Windows. E N S U R E T H A T Y O U A R E C O N N E C T E D T O T H E I N T E R N E T - If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it, click the checkmark to remove it and connect...
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...Insert a disk into the drive and try again. NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. O P E R A T I L E W A S N O T F O U N D - Contact Dell (see "Getting Help" on page 183). D L L F I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D - Windows Vista®: 1 Click Start ,... - N O N - CLOSE SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY A G A I S N O T R E A D Y - A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS Do not use . Solving Problems 61 A R E Q U I S K E R R O R - The program that you are trying to remove. 4 Click Uninstall, Change, or Repair. 5 See the program documentation for installation instructions. S YS ...
...Insert a disk into the drive and try again. NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. O P E R A T I L E W A S N O T F O U N D - Contact Dell (see "Getting Help" on page 183). D L L F I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D - Windows Vista®: 1 Click Start ,... - N O N - CLOSE SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY A G A I S N O T R E A D Y - A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS Do not use . Solving Problems 61 A R E Q U I S K E R R O R - The program that you are trying to remove. 4 Click Uninstall, Change, or Repair. 5 See the program documentation for installation instructions. S YS ...
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... H A R D W A R E TR O U B L E S H O O T E R - The computer does not start up ENSURE THAT THE POWER CABLE IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET 62 Solving Problems See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" on the setup diagram for your computer, and then restart the computer. • Check the cable connector for bent... extension cables and connect the keyboard directly to the computer, and try using the keyboard. Keyboard Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in ...
... H A R D W A R E TR O U B L E S H O O T E R - The computer does not start up ENSURE THAT THE POWER CABLE IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET 62 Solving Problems See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" on the setup diagram for your computer, and then restart the computer. • Check the cable connector for bent... extension cables and connect the keyboard directly to the computer, and try using the keyboard. Keyboard Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in ...
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TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - A program stops responding END THE PROGRAM - 1 Press simultaneously. 2 Click Applications. 3 Click the program that is no longer responding. 4 Click End Task. Solving Problems 63 C H E C K T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I O N - Then restart your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. If necessary, uninstall ...
TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - A program stops responding END THE PROGRAM - 1 Press simultaneously. 2 Click Applications. 3 Click the program that is no longer responding. 4 Click End Task. Solving Problems 63 C H E C K T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I O N - Then restart your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. If necessary, uninstall ...
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... WIZARD - A solid blue screen appears TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your computer. 64 Solving Problems Windows Vista®: Use the Program Compatibility Wizard to configure an operating environment similar to earlier versions of windows. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen...
... WIZARD - A solid blue screen appears TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your computer. 64 Solving Problems Windows Vista®: Use the Program Compatibility Wizard to configure an operating environment similar to earlier versions of windows. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen...
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... DISKS, OR CDS SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE START MENU Solving Problems 65 See the software documentation for information. • Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your... computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION - • Ensure that the program is installed and configured...
... DISKS, OR CDS SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE START MENU Solving Problems 65 See the software documentation for information. • Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your... computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION - • Ensure that the program is installed and configured...
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.... 6 Click Change. 7 From the drop-down list, select the new drive letter assignment for the Media Card Reader. 8 Click OK to insert media. 66 Solving Problems When Microsoft® Windows® Operating System detects the Media Card Reader, the device is automatically assigned a drive letter as a mapped drive when it is... confirm your selection. If the next logical drive after all other physical drives in with Administrator privileges to the Media Card Reader. Media Card Reader Problems NO DRIVE LETTER IS ASSIGNED -
.... 6 Click Change. 7 From the drop-down list, select the new drive letter assignment for the Media Card Reader. 8 Click OK to insert media. 66 Solving Problems When Microsoft® Windows® Operating System detects the Media Card Reader, the device is automatically assigned a drive letter as a mapped drive when it is... confirm your selection. If the next logical drive after all other physical drives in with Administrator privileges to the Media Card Reader. Media Card Reader Problems NO DRIVE LETTER IS ASSIGNED -