Dell Studio MX36C- User Manual

7 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Before Setting Up Your Computer When positioning your computer, ensure that you allow easy access to a power source, adequate ventilation, and a level surface to place your computer.Restricting airflow around your computer may cause it to overheat. To prevent ove...

8 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Connect the Display Your computer has integrated video connectors. Connect the display using either the integrated HDMI or DVI connector. You can purchase the DVI‑to‑VGA adapter, HDMI‑to‑DVI adapter, and additional HDMI or DVI cables at www.dell.com . Use the app...

10 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Connect the Keyboard and Mouse Connect the USB keyboard and mouse to the USB connectors on the back panel of your computer.

11 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Connect the Network Cable (Optional) A network connection is not required to complete your computer setup, but if you have an existing network or Internet connection that uses a cable connection (such as a broadband device or Ethernet jack), you can connect it n...

12 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Connect the Power Cable Press the Power Button

13 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Set Up the Operating System Your Dell computer is preconfigured with the operating system you selected at the time of purchase. Set Up Microsoft Windows To set up Microsoft ® Windows ® for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are ma...

14 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Connect to the Internet (Optional) To connect to the Internet, you need an external modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). If an external USB modem or WLAN adapter is not part of your original order, you can purchase one at www.dell....

15 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Setting Up a Wireless Connection NOTE: To set up your wireless router, see the documentation that shipped with your router. Before you can use your wireless Internet connection, you need to connect to your wireless router. To set up your connection to a wireless...

16 Setting Up Your Studio XPS Desktop Setting Up Your Internet Connection ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for offerings available in your country.If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage. Contact y...

18 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop This section provides information about the features available on your Studio XPS ™ desktop. Front View Features 9 7 8 2 3 56 4 1

20 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Top View Features 5 3 2 1 6 4

22 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Back View Features 2 3 4 5 6 7 1

24 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Back Panel Connectors 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 3 2 1 6 1 S/PDIF connector — Connects to amplifiers of TVs for digital audio through optical digital cables. This format carries an audio signal without going through an analog audio conversion process. 2 eSATA connector — ...

26 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Software Features NOTE: For more information about the features described in this section, see the Dell Technology Guide available on your hard drive or at support.dell.com/manuals . Productivity and Communication You can use your computer to create presentations, br...

27 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Customizing the Desktop You can customize your desktop to change the appearance, resolution, wallpaper, screensaver, or other features of your desktop.To access the display properties window: Windows Vista ® Right‑click an open area of the desktop. 1. Click 2. Person...

30 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Backing Up Your Data It is recommended that you periodically back up files and folders on your computer. To back up files: Windows Vista ® Click 1. Start → Control Panel → System and Maintenance → Back Up and Restore Center → Back up files . If the User Account Contr...

31 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Dell DataSafe Online Backup NOTE: Dell DataSafe Online may not be available in all regions. NOTE: A broadband connection is recommended for fast upload/download speeds. Dell DataSafe Online is an automated backup and recovery service that helps protect your data and ...

32 Using Your Studio XPS Desktop Dell Dock The Dell Dock is a group of icons that provides easy access to frequently‑used applications, files, and folders. You can personalize the Dock by: Adding or removing icons • Grouping related icons into categories • Changing the color and location of the Dock...

33 Solving Problems This section provides troubleshooting information for your computer. If you cannot solve your problem using the following guidelines, see “Using Support Tools” on page 40 or “Contacting Dell” on page 62. Beep Codes Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start‑up if the...

34 Solving Problems Network Problems Wireless Connections If the network connection is lost — The wireless router is offline or wireless has been disabled on the computer. Check your wireless router to ensure it is • powered on and connected to your data source (cable modem or network hub).Re‑establ...

35 Solving Problems Power Problems If the power light is off — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power. Reseat the power cable into the power • connector on the computer and the electrical outlet.If the computer is plugged into a power strip, • ensure that the power strip is plug...

36 Solving Problems If the power light is blinking amber — There may be a problem with the system board.For assistance, contact Dell (see “Contacting Dell” on page 62). If you encounter interference that hinders reception on your computer — An unwanted signal is creating interference by interrupting...

38 Solving Problems Lockups and Software Problems If the computer does not start up — Ensure that the power cable is firmly connected to the computer and to the electrical outlet. If a program stops responding — End the program: Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously. 1. Click 2. ...

40 Using Support Tools Dell Support Center The Dell Support Center helps you find the service, support, and system‑specific information you need. To launch the application, click the icon in the taskbar.The Dell Support Center home page displays your computer’s model number, service tag, express ser...

41 Using Support Tools System Messages If your computer has an issue or error, it may display a system message that will help you identify the cause and action needed to resolve the issue. NOTE: If the message you received is not listed in the following examples, see the documentation for either the...

43 Using Support Tools Hardware Troubleshooter If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.To start the Hardware Troubleshooter: Click 1. Start → Help and Suppor...

48 You can restore your operating system in the following ways: System • Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring your operating system and preserving data files.Dell DataSafe Local Backup restore...

49 Restoring Your Operating System System Restore The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which allows you to restore your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer...

50 Restoring Your Operating System Dell DataSafe Local Backup NOTE: Dell DataSafe Local Backup may not be available in all regions. Dell DataSafe Local Backup is a backup and recovery application that can restore your computer if you lose data due to a virus attack, accidentally delete critical file...

51 Restoring Your Operating System NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft ® Windows ® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again. Select 5. Repair Your Computer . Select 6. Dell Factory Image Recovery and DataSafe Opti...

52 Restoring Your Operating System the hard drive. Data files include documents, spreadsheets, e‑mail messages, digital photos, music files, and so on. If possible, back up all data before using Factory Image Restore. Performing Dell Factory Image Restore Turn on the computer. When the Dell logo 1. ...

53 Restoring Your Operating System Operating System Reinstallation Before You Begin If you are considering reinstalling the Microsoft ® Windows ® operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Device Driver Rollback. To roll back the device driver: Click...

54 Restoring Your Operating System To reinstall Windows, you need the following items: Dell • Operating System disc Dell • Drivers and Utilities disc NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities disc contains drivers that were installed during the assembly of the computer. Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities...

56 If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem: See “Solving Problems” on page 1. 33 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing.See “Dell Diagnostics” on page 2. 43 for pro...

57 Getting Help Technical Support and Customer Service Dell’s support service is available to answer your questions about Dell hardware. Our support staff uses computer‑based diagnostics to provide fast, accurate answers.To contact Dell’s support service, see “Before You Call” on page 61 and then se...

58 Getting Help Dell Support e-mail addresses [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • (Latin America and Caribbean countries only) [email protected] • (Asian/Pacific countries only) Dell Marketing and Sales e-mail addresses [email protected] • (Asian/Pacific countries only) [emai...

59 Getting Help Product Information If you need information about additional products available from Dell, or if you would like to place an order, visit the Dell website at www.dell.com . For the telephone number to call for your region or to speak to a sales specialist, see “Contacting Dell” on pag...

61 Getting Help Before You Call NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell’s automated‑support telephone system direct your call more efficiently. You may also be asked for your Service Tag (located on a label on the top of the computer). Remember to fill out the f...

62 Getting Help See your operating system documentation to determine the contents of the computer’s start‑up files. If the computer is connected to a printer, print each file. Otherwise, record the contents of each file before calling Dell. Error message, beep code, or diagnostic • code:Description ...

64 Finding More Information and Resources If you need to: See: reinstall your operating system the Operating System disc find your system model number the back of your computer run a diagnostic program for your computer, reinstall desktop system software, or update drivers for your computer, and rea...

66 Basic Specifications This section provides information that you may need when setting up, updating drivers for, and upgrading your computer. For more detailed specifications, see the Comprehensive Specifications at support.dell.com/manuals . NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For more informatio...

67 Basic Specifications Computer Model Studio XPS ™ 8100 Computer Information Processor types Intel ® Core ™ i7‑870 Intel Core i7‑860 Intel Core i7‑750 Intel Core i5‑670 Intel Core i5‑661 Intel Core i5‑660 Intel Core i5‑650 Intel Core i3‑540 Intel Core i3‑540 System chipset Intel H57 RAID support RA...

68 Basic Specifications Drives Externally accessible two 5.25‑inch bays for SATA DVD+/‑RW Super Multi Drive or Blu‑ray Disc ™ combo or Blu‑ray Disc RW driveone 3.5 inch bay for a Flexdock Internally accessible two 3.5‑inch bays for SATA hard drives Audio Type Integrated 7.1 channel; High Definition ...

69 Basic Specifications External connectors Network adapter RJ45 connectorUSB two top‑panel, two front‑ panel, and four back‑ panel USB 2.0 compliant connectors. Audio front panel — microphone and headphone connectors; back panel — six connectors for 7.1 support External connectors S/PDIF one digita...

70 Basic Specifications Computer Environment Temperature range: Operating 10° C to 35°C (50° F to 95°F) Storage –40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F) Relative humidity (maximum) 20% to 80% (noncondensing) Maximum vibration (using a random-vibration spectrum that simulates user environment): Operating 0.25 GR...

71 Appendix Macrovision Product Notice This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology mus...

72 Appendix Information for NOM, or Official Mexican Standard (only for Mexico) The following information is provided in the device(s) described in this document in accordance with the requirements of the Official Mexican Standard (NOM): Importer: Dell México S.A. de C.V.Paseo de la Reforma 2620 – F...

73 B backups creating 30 C calling Dell 61 CDs, playing and creating 26 chipset 67 computer capabilities 26 connect(ing) optional network cable 11 conserving energy 28 Contacting Dell online 62 customer service 57 customizing your energy settings 28 D data, backing up 30 DataSafe Local Backup 50 Del...