Owner's Manual
Page 2
...Windows® operating systems are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Trademarks used in any manner whatsoever without notice. © 2005 Dell Inc. under license. Other trademarks and trade names may be used by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of Microsoft Corporation; To access the help file, see the Dell Inspiron... Help file. EMC is strictly forbidden. and is used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dell TravelLite, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, TrueMobile, DellNet...
...Windows® operating systems are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Trademarks used in any manner whatsoever without notice. © 2005 Dell Inc. under license. Other trademarks and trade names may be used by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of Microsoft Corporation; To access the help file, see the Dell Inspiron... Help file. EMC is strictly forbidden. and is used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dell TravelLite, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, TrueMobile, DellNet...
Owner's Manual
Page 3
Contents Finding Information 9 1 A Tour of Your Computer Front View 13 Left Side View 16 Right Side View 18 Bottom View 20 2 Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet 21 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 21 Setting Up a Printer 22 Printer Cable 22 Connecting a USB Printer 22 Power Protection Devices 23 Surge Protectors 23 Line Conditioners 24 Uninterruptible Power Supplies 24 3 Using a Battery Battery Performance 25 Checking the Battery Charge 26 Microsoft Windows Power Meter 26 Low-Battery Warning 26 Charging the Battery 26 Removing a Battery 27 Contents 3
Contents Finding Information 9 1 A Tour of Your Computer Front View 13 Left Side View 16 Right Side View 18 Bottom View 20 2 Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet 21 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 21 Setting Up a Printer 22 Printer Cable 22 Connecting a USB Printer 22 Power Protection Devices 23 Surge Protectors 23 Line Conditioners 24 Uninterruptible Power Supplies 24 3 Using a Battery Battery Performance 25 Checking the Battery Charge 26 Microsoft Windows Power Meter 26 Low-Battery Warning 26 Charging the Battery 26 Removing a Battery 27 Contents 3
Owner's Manual
Page 4
... Numeric Keypad 35 Key Combinations 36 System Functions 36 Display Functions 36 Radios (Including Wireless Networking 36 Power Management 36 Speaker Functions 36 Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions 37 Touch Pad 37 Customizing the Touch Pad 38 4 Contents
... Numeric Keypad 35 Key Combinations 36 System Functions 36 Display Functions 36 Radios (Including Wireless Networking 36 Power Management 36 Speaker Functions 36 Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions 37 Touch Pad 37 Customizing the Touch Pad 38 4 Contents
Owner's Manual
Page 5
... 44 Determining Your Network Type 44 Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP. . . . . 45 9 Solving Problems Dell Diagnostics 47 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 47 Starting the Dell Diagnostics 47 Drivers 49 What Is a Driver 49 Identifying Drivers 49 Reinstalling Drivers and... Utilities 50 Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 51 Restoring Your Operating System 51 Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore 51 Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec 52 Drive Problems 54 CD and DVD drive problems 55 If you cannot eject the...
... 44 Determining Your Network Type 44 Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP. . . . . 45 9 Solving Problems Dell Diagnostics 47 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 47 Starting the Dell Diagnostics 47 Drivers 49 What Is a Driver 49 Identifying Drivers 49 Reinstalling Drivers and... Utilities 50 Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 51 Restoring Your Operating System 51 Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore 51 Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec 52 Drive Problems 54 CD and DVD drive problems 55 If you cannot eject the...
Owner's Manual
Page 6
... computer does not start up 61 The computer stops responding 61 A program stops responding 61 A program crashes repeatedly 61 A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system. . . . . 61 A solid blue screen appears 62 Other software problems 62 Memory Problems 63 Network Problems 63 PC Card Problems 64 Power Problems 64...
... computer does not start up 61 The computer stops responding 61 A program stops responding 61 A program crashes repeatedly 61 A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system. . . . . 61 A solid blue screen appears 62 Other software problems 62 Memory Problems 63 Network Problems 63 PC Card Problems 64 Power Problems 64...
Owner's Manual
Page 9
...information • Ergonomics information • End User License Agreement Find It Here Dell™ Product Information Guide • How to set up my computer Setup Diagram • Tips on using Microsoft® Windows® • How to play CDs and DVDs • How to use... Help File 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Click User and system guides and click User's guides. 3 Click Dell Inspiron Help. Finding Information 9 What Are You Looking For? • Warranty information • Terms and Conditions (U.S. Finding Information NOTE: Some features ...
...information • Ergonomics information • End User License Agreement Find It Here Dell™ Product Information Guide • How to set up my computer Setup Diagram • Tips on using Microsoft® Windows® • How to play CDs and DVDs • How to use... Help File 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Click User and system guides and click User's guides. 3 Click Dell Inspiron Help. Finding Information 9 What Are You Looking For? • Warranty information • Terms and Conditions (U.S. Finding Information NOTE: Some features ...
Owner's Manual
Page 10
www.dell.com | support.dell.com What Are You Looking For? • Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows License Label Find It Here Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License These labels are located on the bottom of your computer. • Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact technical support. • Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting technical support. 10 Finding Information
www.dell.com | support.dell.com What Are You Looking For? • Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows License Label Find It Here Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License These labels are located on the bottom of your computer. • Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact technical support. • Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting technical support. 10 Finding Information
Owner's Manual
Page 12
www.dell.com | support.dell.com What Are You Looking For? • How to use Windows XP • Documentation for my computer • Documentation for devices (such as a modem) Find It Here Windows Help and Support Center 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen. 12 Finding Information
www.dell.com | support.dell.com What Are You Looking For? • How to use Windows XP • Documentation for my computer • Documentation for devices (such as a modem) Find It Here Windows Help and Support Center 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen. 12 Finding Information
Owner's Manual
Page 14
Attach a microphone to the connector. Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key. K E Y B O A R D - T O U C H P A D - For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Using the Keyboard and ...power button. A U D I E E E 1 3 9 4 C O N N E C T O R - The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as some digital video cameras. www.dell.com | support.dell.com NOTICE: To avoid losing data, shut down your computer instead of Your Computer Touch pad and touch pad buttons provide the functionality of...
Attach a microphone to the connector. Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key. K E Y B O A R D - T O U C H P A D - For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Using the Keyboard and ...power button. A U D I E E E 1 3 9 4 C O N N E C T O R - The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as some digital video cameras. www.dell.com | support.dell.com NOTICE: To avoid losing data, shut down your computer instead of Your Computer Touch pad and touch pad buttons provide the functionality of...
Owner's Manual
Page 21
... a different ISP: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Double-click the MSN Explorer or AOL icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. 3 Follow the instructions on your local cable TV line. The New Connection Wizard appears. 3 Click Connect to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP...
... a different ISP: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Double-click the MSN Explorer or AOL icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. 3 Follow the instructions on your local cable TV line. The New Connection Wizard appears. 3 Click Connect to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP...
Owner's Manual
Page 22
... printer may arrive in the past, the ISP might have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP. 5 Click Next. www.dell.com | support.dell.com 4 In the next window, click the appropriate option: • If you do not have an ISP and want to connect to the Internet?, and then click...
... printer may arrive in the past, the ISP might have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP. 5 Click Next. www.dell.com | support.dell.com 4 In the next window, click the appropriate option: • If you do not have an ISP and want to connect to the Internet?, and then click...
Owner's Manual
Page 26
A pop-up window warns you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is hot from being in the Dell Inspiron Help file. For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see "Power Problems" on page 64. 26 Using a Battery...your computer or being used in the Dell Inspiron Help file. If necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge. www.dell.com | support.dell.com Checking the Battery Charge The Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter window and provide information on the taskbar....
A pop-up window warns you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is hot from being in the Dell Inspiron Help file. For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see "Power Problems" on page 64. 26 Using a Battery...your computer or being used in the Dell Inspiron Help file. If necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge. www.dell.com | support.dell.com Checking the Battery Charge The Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter window and provide information on the taskbar....
Owner's Manual
Page 31
The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of the window, and then click RecordNow Help or RecordNow Tutorial. How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE: If you have a DVD... a CD or DVD. This section applies only to computers that you follow all five formats. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to DVD+R and DVD+RW media, and can also use Sonic RecordNow for home theater systems might not... available software patches at the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com. To access the help file, see the Dell™ Inspiron™ Help file.
The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of the window, and then click RecordNow Help or RecordNow Tutorial. How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE: If you have a DVD... a CD or DVD. This section applies only to computers that you follow all five formats. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to DVD+R and DVD+RW media, and can also use Sonic RecordNow for home theater systems might not... available software patches at the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com. To access the help file, see the Dell™ Inspiron™ Help file.
Owner's Manual
Page 32
... recording. • Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you may not be used to permanently store large amounts of information. www.dell.com | support.dell.com 3 Click Exact Copy. 4 To copy the CD or DVD: • If you cannot write to that CD-R again without changing your method of... Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Your CD-RW drive can write to burn music CDs that disc later. Helpful Tips • Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic RecordNow and open a RecordNow project. • You must...
... recording. • Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you may not be used to permanently store large amounts of information. www.dell.com | support.dell.com 3 Click Exact Copy. 4 To copy the CD or DVD: • If you cannot write to that CD-R again without changing your method of... Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Your CD-RW drive can write to burn music CDs that disc later. Helpful Tips • Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic RecordNow and open a RecordNow project. • You must...
Owner's Manual
Page 36
Display Functions Switches the video image to activate a different power management mode using the Advanced tab in the Dell Inspiron Help file. Radios (Including Wireless Networking) Enables and disables radios including wireless networking. To access help, see "... mode. The options include the integrated display, an external monitor, and both displays simultaneously. www.dell.com | support.dell.com Key Combinations System Functions Opens the Task Manager window. and up-arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only (not on page 9. Enables ...
Display Functions Switches the video image to activate a different power management mode using the Advanced tab in the Dell Inspiron Help file. Radios (Including Wireless Networking) Enables and disables radios including wireless networking. To access help, see "... mode. The options include the integrated display, an external monitor, and both displays simultaneously. www.dell.com | support.dell.com Key Combinations System Functions Opens the Task Manager window. and up-arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only (not on page 9. Enables ...
Owner's Manual
Page 37
... over the touch pad. • To select an object, lightly tap once on the display. Windows logo key and Opens the System Properties dialog box. Windows logo key and Runs Windows Explorer. Touch Pad The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you...left touch-pad button. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as the character repeat rate, open windows. Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions Windows logo key and Minimizes all windows. Windows logo key and Opens the Run dialog box. To adjust keyboard operation, such as you to a network...
... over the touch pad. • To select an object, lightly tap once on the display. Windows logo key and Opens the System Properties dialog box. Windows logo key and Runs Windows Explorer. Touch Pad The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you...left touch-pad button. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as the character repeat rate, open windows. Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions Windows logo key and Minimizes all windows. Windows logo key and Opens the Run dialog box. To adjust keyboard operation, such as you to a network...
Owner's Manual
Page 38
...cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad or use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad or adjust its settings. 1 Open the Control Panel, ...click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Mouse. 2 In the Mouse Properties window: • Click the Device Select tab to disable the touch pad. • Click the...dell.com • To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object and tap down-up-down motion, leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding your thumb to save the settings and close the window...
...cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad or use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad or adjust its settings. 1 Open the Control Panel, ...click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Mouse. 2 In the Mouse Properties window: • Click the Device Select tab to disable the touch pad. • Click the...dell.com • To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object and tap down-up-down motion, leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding your thumb to save the settings and close the window...
Owner's Manual
Page 44
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Network Setup Wizard The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of the infrastructure type. NOTE: Selecting the connection method ...cellular products. Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network NOTE: These networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Windows XP. 4 Complete the checklist and required preparations. 5 Return to support.dell.com and search for creating a network. infrastructure network 44 Setting Up a Home and Office Network ad-hoc network An...
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Network Setup Wizard The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of the infrastructure type. NOTE: Selecting the connection method ...cellular products. Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network NOTE: These networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Windows XP. 4 Complete the checklist and required preparations. 5 Return to support.dell.com and search for creating a network. infrastructure network 44 Setting Up a Home and Office Network ad-hoc network An...
Owner's Manual
Page 45
The user's guide is already installed. The Wireless Network Connections window lists the wireless networks available in your wireless network card. Setting Up a Home and Office Network 45 When you turn on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. If the software is not configured. 1 Click either ... is available on your computer, a pop-up or the network icon to a network. Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers in order to connect to configure your computer for your area.
The user's guide is already installed. The Wireless Network Connections window lists the wireless networks available in your wireless network card. Setting Up a Home and Office Network 45 When you turn on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. If the software is not configured. 1 Click either ... is available on your computer, a pop-up or the network icon to a network. Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers in order to connect to configure your computer for your area.
Owner's Manual
Page 47
... cannot see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to an electrical outlet. 3 Turn on the computer. to continue to retest the component that appear. • If a failure is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on Dell™ computers. When the...
... cannot see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to an electrical outlet. 3 Turn on the computer. to continue to retest the component that appear. • If a failure is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on Dell™ computers. When the...