Page 2 - Abbreviations and Acronyms
Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property dama...
Page 3 - Contents; A Tour of Your Computer
Contents 3 Contents Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 A Tour of Your Computer Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Left Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Page 4 - Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
4 Contents Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Removing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Installing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Storing a Battery . . . . . . ....
Page 6 - Adding and Replacing Parts
6 Contents A program crashes repeatedly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system . . . . . 60 A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Other software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Page 7 - Index
Contents 7 Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Returning a Hard Drive to Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Page 9 - Finding Information
Finding Information 9 Finding Information NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer. What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Warranty information• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)• Safety instructions...
Page 13 - Front View
A Tour of Your Computer 13 A Tour of Your Computer Front View D I S P L A Y L A T C H E S — Keeps the display closed. D I S P L A Y L A T C H R E L E A S E — Press this to release the display latches and open the display. D I S P L A Y — For more information about your display, see the Dell Inspiron...
Page 17 - Left Side View
A Tour of Your Computer 17 Left Side View A I R V E N T — The computer uses fans to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating. CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow envi...
Page 18 - Right Side View
18 A Tour of Your Computer O P T I C A L - D R I V E - T R A Y E J E C T B U T T O N — Press this button to eject a CD and DVD from the optical drive. O P T I C A L D R I V E — You can install devices such as a DVD drive or other optical drive in the optical drive bay. For more information, see "...
Page 19 - Back View
A Tour of Your Computer 19 S E C U R E D I G I T A L I / O S L O T — The Secure Digital I/O slot supports one Secure Digital memory card or other SD I/O device. Use Secure Digital memory cards to save or back up data. P C C A R D S L O T — Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter. Th...
Page 21 - Bottom View
A Tour of Your Computer 21 CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage. NOTI...
Page 23 - Setting Up Your Computer; Connecting to the Internet; Setting Up Your Internet Connection
Setting Up Your Computer 23 Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP), such as AOL or MSN. Your ISP will offer one or more of the followin...
Page 24 - Setting Up a Printer; Printer Cable
24 Setting Up Your Computer 4 In the next window, click the appropriate option:• If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click Choose from a list of Internet service providers (ISPs) . • If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a setup CD, click ...
Page 25 - Power Protection Devices; Surge Protectors
Setting Up Your Computer 25 Power Protection Devices Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures: • Surge protectors • Line conditioners • Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) Surge Protectors Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help ...
Page 26 - Line Conditioners; Uninterruptible Power Supplies
26 Setting Up Your Computer Line Conditioners NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions. Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level. Uninterruptible Power Supplies NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may r...
Page 27 - Using a Battery; Battery Performance
Using a Battery 27 Using a Battery Battery Performance CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this chapter, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell™ portable computer with the...
Page 28 - Checking the Battery Charge; Dell QuickSet Battery Meter; Microsoft Windows Power Meter; Charge Gauge
28 Using a Battery Checking the Battery Charge The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft ® Windows ® Power Meter window and icon, the battery charge gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery charge. Dell QuickSet Battery Meter If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <...
Page 29 - Charging the Battery
Using a Battery 29 Low-Battery Warning NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically. A pop-up window warns you wh...
Page 30 - Removing a Battery; Installing a Battery; Storing a Battery
30 Using a Battery Removing a Battery CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack. 1 Ensure that the computer is turned off. 2 Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove the battery from the bay. Inst...
Page 31 - Using CDs and DVDs; Copying CDs and DVDs; How to Copy a CD or DVD
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 31 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Using CDs and DVDs For information about using CDs and DVDs in your computer, see the Dell™ Inspiron™ Help file. To access the help file, see "Finding Information" on page 9. Copying CDs and DVDs NOTE: Ensure that...
Page 32 - Helpful Tips
32 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 3 Click Exact Copy . 4 To copy a CD or DVD:• If you have one CD or DVD drive , ensure that the settings are correct and click Copy . The computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies it to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive.When prompted, insert...
Page 33 - Using Dell MediaDirect
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 33 Using Dell MediaDirect NOTE: QuickSet, which is automatically installed and enabled on your computer, is necessary for Dell MediaDirect to function. Changing or disabling QuickSet’s default settings can limit Dell MediaDirect’s functionality. For more informa...
Page 34 - Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
34 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device NOTE: Video and audio cables for connecting your computer to a TV or other audio device are not included with your computer. Cables may be purchased at most consumer electronics stores. The composite TV-out ada...
Page 35 - Composite Video Connection
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 35 4 Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable in to the headphone connector on your computer. 5 Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable in to the audio input connectors on your TV or other audio device. 6 Turn on the TV, turn on a...
Page 37 - Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 37 5 Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable in to the headphone connector on the computer. 6 Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable in to the audio input connectors on your TV or other audio device. 7 Turn on the TV and any aud...
Page 39 - Numeric Keypad
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 39 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external keyboard. Each key on the keypad has multiple functions. The keypad numbers and symbols are marked in blue on the right of the keypad keys. To type ...
Page 40 - Key Combinations
40 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Key Combinations System Functions Battery CD or DVD Tray Display Functions Radios (Including Wireless Networking and an Internal Card With Bluetooth ® Wireless Technology) Power Management <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> Opens the Task Manager window <Fn&g...
Page 41 - Speaker Functions
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 41 Speaker Functions Microsoft ® Windows ® Logo Key Functions To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate, open the Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware , and click Keyboard . For information about the Control Panel, see the Dell Inspi...
Page 42 - Touch Pad; Customizing the Touch Pad
42 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Touch Pad The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you to move the cursor on the display. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse. • To move the cursor, lightly slide your finger over the touch pad. • To sele...
Page 43 - Using PC Cards; PC Card Types; PC Card Blanks
Using PC Cards 43 Using PC Cards PC Card Types See "Specifications" on page 93 for information on supported PC Cards. NOTE: A PC Card is not a bootable device. The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II card. The PC Card slot supports CardBus technology and e...
Page 45 - Removing a PC Card or Blank
Using PC Cards 45 Removing a PC Card or Blank NOTICE: Use the PC Card configuration utility (click the icon in the taskbar) to select a card and stop it from functioning before you remove it from the computer. If you do not stop the card in the configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not atte...
Page 47 - Setting Up a Home and Office Network; Connecting to a Network Adapter
Setting Up a Home and Office Network 47 Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Before you connect your computer to a network, the computer must have a network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it.To connect a network cable: 1 Connect the network cable t...
Page 48 - Network Setup Wizard; Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network; Determining Your Network Type
48 Setting Up a Home and Office Network Network Setup Wizard The Microsoft ® Windows ® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office. 1 Click the Start button, poi...
Page 49 - Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft
Setting Up a Home and Office Network 49 Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft ® Windows ® XP Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers in order to connect to a network. The software is already installed. If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions...
Page 51 - Solving Problems; Dell Diagnostics; When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Solving Problems 51 Solving Problems Dell Diagnostics CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . When to Use the Dell Diagnostics If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in this chapter...
Page 53 - Drive Problems; DVD drive problems
Solving Problems 53 Drive Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . DVD drive problems NOTE: High-speed CD or DVD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in the d...
Page 54 - Hard drive problems
54 Solving Problems If you cannot eject the DVD or DVD+RW drive tray If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Hard drive problems C H A N G E T H E W R I T E S P E E D T O A S L O W E R R A T E — See the help files for your DVD creation software. V E R I F Y T H A T T H E C O R R E C T M...
Page 56 - Error Messages
56 Solving Problems Error Messages CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared...
Page 58 - Keyboard Problems; External keyboard problems
58 Solving Problems IEEE 1394 Device Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . Keyboard Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Pr...
Page 59 - Unexpected characters; Lockups and Software Problems; The computer does not start up
Solving Problems 59 Unexpected characters Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . The computer does not start up C H E C K T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D — 1 Shut down the ...
Page 60 - The computer stops responding
60 Solving Problems The computer stops responding NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown. A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD. A...
Page 61 - Other software problems
Solving Problems 61 Other software problems 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 O R C O N T A C T T H E S O F T W A R E M A N U F A C T U R E R F O R T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G I N F O R M A T I O N — • Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installe...
Page 62 - Memory Problems; Network Problems
62 Solving Problems Memory Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . Network Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Infor...
Page 63 - PC Card Problems; Power Problems
Solving Problems 63 PC Card Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . Power Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Inform...
Page 64 - Printer Problems
64 Solving Problems Printer Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer’s manufacturer. C H E C K T H E B A T T E R Y S T A T U...
Page 65 - Scanner Problems
Solving Problems 65 Scanner Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your scanner, contact the scanner’s manufacturer. E N S U R E T H A T T H E P R I N T E R...
Page 66 - Sound and Speaker Problems; No sound from integrated speakers
66 Solving Problems Sound and Speaker Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . No sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers NOTE: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides t...
Page 67 - No sound from headphones; Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
Solving Problems 67 No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse Problems T E S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. E L I M I N A T E P O S S I B L E I N T E R F E R E N C E — Turn off nearby fans, f...
Page 68 - Video and Display Problems; If the display is blank
68 Solving Problems Video and Display Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . If the display is blank NOTE: If you are using a program that requires a higher resolution than your computer supports, it...
Page 69 - If the display is difficult to read; Drivers
Solving Problems 69 If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable Drivers What Is a Driver? A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.A driver acts like a translator between the device and an...
Page 70 - Identifying Drivers
70 Solving Problems Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft ® Windows ® operating system. You may need to install drivers if you: • Upgrade your oper...
Page 71 - Restoring Your Operating System; Using Microsoft
Solving Problems 71 If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver. See "Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore" on page 71. Manually Reinstalling Drivers 1 Aft...
Page 73 - Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
Solving Problems 73 Enabling System Restore If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled: 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel . 2 Click Performance and Maintenance . 3 C...
Page 74 - Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
74 Solving Problems 6 When prompted, click Yes . The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on. 7 Click Next . The Sys...
Page 75 - Before You Begin; Recommended Tools
Adding and Replacing Parts 75 Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist: • You have performed the steps in "Turning O...
Page 76 - Before Working Inside Your Computer
76 Adding and Replacing Parts Before Working Inside Your Computer Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your own personal safety. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in th...
Page 77 - Hard Drive
Adding and Replacing Parts 77 4 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove the battery from the bay. 5 Remove the optical drive, if installed, from the optical drive bay....
Page 79 - Returning a Hard Drive to Dell; Memory
Adding and Replacing Parts 79 Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Return your old hard drive to Dell in its original or comparable foam packaging. Otherwise, the hard drive may be damaged in transit. Memory You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. See "S...
Page 82 - Modem
82 Adding and Replacing Parts 7 Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet. 8 Reinstall the hard drive. See "Hard Drive" on page 77. 9 Turn on the computer. As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatic...
Page 84 - Wireless Mini PCI Card
84 Adding and Replacing Parts Wireless Mini PCI Card If you ordered a Mini PCI card with your computer, the card is already installed. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . 1 Follow the procedures in "Be...
Page 87 - Display
Adding and Replacing Parts 87 Display CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted...
Page 88 - Optical Drive
88 Adding and Replacing Parts When you replace the display, ensure that the display cable is lying flat in the display cable trough and securely tucked underneath the tabs. Also, ensure that the antenna cables are not twisted and that they are lying flat in the antenna cable clip. Optical Drive CAUT...
Page 89 - Hinge Cover
Adding and Replacing Parts 89 Hinge Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpai...
Page 90 - Keyboard
90 Adding and Replacing Parts Keyboard CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainte...
Page 91 - Internal Card With Bluetooth
Adding and Replacing Parts 91 NOTICE: To avoid scratching the palm rest when replacing the keyboard, hook the five tabs along the front edge of the keyboard into the palm rest, and then secure the keyboard in place. Internal Card With Bluetooth ® Wireless Technology CAUTION: Before you begin any of ...
Page 93 - Appendix; Specifications
Appendix 93 Appendix Specifications Processor Processor type Intel ® Pentium ® M or Intel Celeron ® M L1 cache 32 KB L2 cache 1 MB, 2 MB External bus frequency 400 MHz and 533 MHz System Information System chip set Intel 915GM or Intel 915PM Data bus width 64 bits DRAM bus width Dual channel (2) 64-...
Page 99 - Using the System Setup Program; Overview; Viewing the System Setup Screen; Commonly Used Options
Appendix 99 Using the System Setup Program Overview NOTE: Your operating system may automatically configure most of the options available in system setup, thus overriding options that you set through system setup. (An exception is the External Hot Key option, which you can disable or enable only thr...
Page 102 - Class A; FCC Identification Information
102 Appendix This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference. • This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Class A This equipm...
Page 103 - Macrovision Product Notice
Appendix 103 Macrovision Product Notice This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other limited viewin...
