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...® Windows Vista® and Windows® XP refer to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellConnect, StrikeZone, Wi-Fi Catcher, ExpressCharge, and Dell TravelLite are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft...in any proprietary interest in this document to refer to either potential damage to all Dell systems. © 2007-2008 Dell Inc. represents Windows XP Start button. is a trademark of Dell Inc. A01 NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either the entities claiming the marks and names...
...® Windows Vista® and Windows® XP refer to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellConnect, StrikeZone, Wi-Fi Catcher, ExpressCharge, and Dell TravelLite are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft...in any proprietary interest in this document to refer to either potential damage to all Dell systems. © 2007-2008 Dell Inc. represents Windows XP Start button. is a trademark of Dell Inc. A01 NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either the entities claiming the marks and names...
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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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... 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 Shut Down Normally 105 Shutting Down...
... 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 Shut Down Normally 105 Shutting Down...
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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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...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 Start button to access resources, programs, and specialized tools for managing the way Windows appears... and functions on the left side of Windows, but it is consistently located on your computer. Start button From the Start button menu, you can access: • Microsoft Windows Help and Support • Control Panel • Information About Installed Hardware...
...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 Start button to access resources, programs, and specialized tools for managing the way Windows appears... and functions on the left side of Windows, but it is consistently located on your computer. Start button From the Start button menu, you can access: • Microsoft Windows Help and Support • Control Panel • Information About Installed Hardware...
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...documentation for your computer and devices installed on your question. 5 Follow the instructions on the screen. 24 Finding Information 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 computer. To access Windows Help and Support: 1 Click Start or → Help and Support. 2 Click the ...
...documentation for your computer and devices installed on your question. 5 Follow the instructions on the screen. 24 Finding Information 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 computer. To access Windows Help and Support: 1 Click Start or → Help and Support. 2 Click the ...
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...from the Pick a Topic options). Windows® XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on your computer through the Control Panel (see "Control Panel" on page 26). Windows Vista® Basic Computer Information Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance...8594; System to diagnose problems. You can also view more details about your computer, click Start → Help and Support→ Dell User and System guides (from the Pick a Task...
...from the Pick a Topic options). Windows® XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on your computer through the Control Panel (see "Control Panel" on page 26). Windows Vista® Basic Computer Information Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance...8594; System to diagnose problems. You can also view more details about your computer, click Start → Help and Support→ Dell User and System guides (from the Pick a Task...
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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 FOR MORE INFORMATION: See Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Control Panel To manage viewing features and computer functions, click Start or → Control Panel.
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 FOR MORE INFORMATION: See Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Control Panel To manage viewing features and computer functions, click Start or → Control Panel.
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... the Components category. 3 Click the device category to expand the Components category. Finding Information 27 Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→ System→ Hardware tab→ Device Manager. Hardware Devices Installed on ...view a table identifying the component or device name and related setting and configuration information. Exporting System Information as a Text File 1 Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Information. 2 On the File menu, click Export. 3 In...
... the Components category. 3 Click the device category to expand the Components category. Finding Information 27 Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→ System→ Hardware tab→ Device Manager. Hardware Devices Installed on ...view a table identifying the component or device name and related setting and configuration information. Exporting System Information as a Text File 1 Click Start or → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Information. 2 On the File menu, click Export. 3 In...
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..., details on connections, and tutorials in basic networking. See Microsoft Windows Help and Support for a specific program: Windows Vista® 1 Click Start →Search. 2 Enter the name of the program and click Search. The device guide provides helpful information about wireless networking, see "Networks ...and Support See Microsoft Windows Help and Support to access device guide for the specific wireless card installed in your computer. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in the Search field. 3 Press . ...
..., details on connections, and tutorials in basic networking. See Microsoft Windows Help and Support for a specific program: Windows Vista® 1 Click Start →Search. 2 Enter the name of the program and click Search. The device guide provides helpful information about wireless networking, see "Networks ...and Support See Microsoft Windows Help and Support to access device guide for the specific wireless card installed in your computer. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in the Search field. 3 Press . ...
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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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... MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in your computer. Use the Start menu to start software applications and to open application programs. notification area Includes a clock and icons associated with it . The basic... button area Contains buttons representing minimized windows for open minimized windows on your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop Taskbar Start button Quick Launch toolbar taskbar button notification area Overview The Windows taskbar is usually located at...
... MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in your computer. Use the Start menu to start software applications and to open application programs. notification area Includes a clock and icons associated with it . The basic... button area Contains buttons representing minimized windows for open minimized windows on your taskbar, the Start button moves or resizes with programs. 34 Microsoft Windows Desktop Taskbar Start button Quick Launch toolbar taskbar button notification area Overview The Windows taskbar is usually located at...
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... select the Notification Area tab. Customizing 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 checking the desired boxes on top of the taskbar. 2 Right-click to temporarily display ...the hidden icons. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Displaying Hidden Icons From the Notification Area The Notification area includes icons for quick program access. FOR MORE...
... select the Notification Area tab. Customizing 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 checking the desired boxes on top of the taskbar. 2 Right-click to temporarily display ...the hidden icons. Adding Icons in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Displaying Hidden Icons From the Notification Area The Notification area includes icons for quick program access. FOR MORE...
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...). Microsoft Windows Desktop 37 If you delete an icon without an arrow, you are simply deleting the shortcut link. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click the Start button, select Explore. Navigate to the folder or file to which you want the shortcut to link to. 3 Highlight the file or folder, and click..., not just a link to the file. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support.
...). Microsoft Windows Desktop 37 If you delete an icon without an arrow, you are simply deleting the shortcut link. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click the Start button, select Explore. Navigate to the folder or file to which you want the shortcut to link to. 3 Highlight the file or folder, and click..., not just a link to the file. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support.
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...: Microsoft Windows Desktop 39 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. Windows Vista® From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open ...
...: Microsoft Windows Desktop 39 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. Windows Vista® From the desktop: 1 Right-click an open ...
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The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow the instructions provided. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance and Themes window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow... INFORMATION: 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....
The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow the instructions provided. From the Start menu: 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes. 2 The Appearance and Themes window appears. 3 Review the available options and follow... INFORMATION: 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....
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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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...software installed in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Start Button" on page 23. HINT: You can use the Start menu to the Start menu by selecting the desired option on page ...99. Customizing the Start Menu Customize the Start menu through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 1 Right-click an open...
...software installed in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Start Button" on page 23. HINT: You can use the Start menu to the Start menu by selecting the desired option on page ...99. Customizing the Start Menu Customize the Start menu through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window. 1 Right-click an open...