Dell Technology Guide
Page 2
...notice. Microsoft, Windows, Internet Explorer, Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start button logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in this document is a trademark owned by Dell Inc. represents Windows XP Start button. Intel and iAMT are registered trademarks of Dell Inc.; Other... a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death Steps pertaining to Microsoft® Windows Vista® and Windows® XP refer to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in this document to refer to either potential damage to change without the...
...notice. Microsoft, Windows, Internet Explorer, Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start button logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in this document is a trademark owned by Dell Inc. represents Windows XP Start button. Intel and iAMT are registered trademarks of Dell Inc.; Other... a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death Steps pertaining to Microsoft® Windows Vista® and Windows® XP refer to Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows XP Professional edition respectively in this document to refer to either potential damage to change without the...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 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
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
Dell Technology Guide
Page 4
... the Desktop 36 Creating and Deleting Program Shortcuts on 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...
... the Desktop 36 Creating and Deleting Program Shortcuts on 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...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 5
... Troubleshooting 50 Choosing the Best Display Settings 50 Setting the Display Resolution for External LCD Monitors 50 Setting the Display for Multiple Monitors 51 Windows Vista 52 Windows XP 52 Using the Ambient Light Sensor in Bright or Low-Light Environments 53 Cables and Connections 55 DisplayPort™ - Features and Benefits 56 NVIDIA...
... Troubleshooting 50 Choosing the Best Display Settings 50 Setting the Display Resolution for External LCD Monitors 50 Setting the Display for Multiple Monitors 51 Windows Vista 52 Windows XP 52 Using the Ambient Light Sensor in Bright or Low-Light Environments 53 Cables and Connections 55 DisplayPort™ - Features and Benefits 56 NVIDIA...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 6
... Keypad on a Laptop Computer 68 General Keyboard Shortcuts 69 5 Printers-Settings and Drivers 71 Accessing Printer Information 71 Changing Printer Settings 72 For Windows Vista 72 For Windows® XP 72 Setting up Printers 73 Adding a Printer 73 Setting the Default Printer 74 Sharing Printers on a Network 74 Installing a Printer Driver 75 6 Drives...
... Keypad on a Laptop Computer 68 General Keyboard Shortcuts 69 5 Printers-Settings and Drivers 71 Accessing Printer Information 71 Changing Printer Settings 72 For Windows Vista 72 For Windows® XP 72 Setting up Printers 73 Adding a Printer 73 Setting the Default Printer 74 Sharing Printers on a Network 74 Installing a Printer Driver 75 6 Drives...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 7
... 1 84 RAID Level 0+1 Configuration 86 RAID Level 5 Configuration 87 Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode 87 Configuring RAID 88 7 Shutting Down Your Computer 99 Windows Vista 99 Windows® XP 99 Shutdown States 101 Microsoft® Windows Vista 101 Windows® XP 101 Contents 7
... 1 84 RAID Level 0+1 Configuration 86 RAID Level 5 Configuration 87 Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode 87 Configuring RAID 88 7 Shutting Down Your Computer 99 Windows Vista 99 Windows® XP 99 Shutdown States 101 Microsoft® Windows Vista 101 Windows® XP 101 Contents 7
Dell Technology Guide
Page 9
... to a File 115 Transferring Files and Settings to a New Computer . . 116 Transferring Files From a Computer Running Windows XP to a Computer Running Windows Vista 116 Transferring Files Between Computers Running Windows XP 117 Backing up Files 117 Windows Vista 117 Windows XP 118 Running Backup When the Settings Have Been Preconfigured 118 Running Backup With Hidden Drives 119 Restoring...
... to a File 115 Transferring Files and Settings to a New Computer . . 116 Transferring Files From a Computer Running Windows XP to a Computer Running Windows Vista 116 Transferring Files Between Computers Running Windows XP 117 Backing up Files 117 Windows Vista 117 Windows XP 118 Running Backup When the Settings Have Been Preconfigured 118 Running Backup With Hidden Drives 119 Restoring...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 10
Removing Applications From Your Computer . . . . . 123 Windows Vista 123 Windows XP 123 Ending an Application When it Does not Respond 124 10 Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security) . . . . 125 Performing Maintenance Tasks ... 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 Tuning 129 NVIDIA Performance 129 NVIDIA Monitor...
Removing Applications From Your Computer . . . . . 123 Windows Vista 123 Windows XP 123 Ending an Application When it Does not Respond 124 10 Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security) . . . . 125 Performing Maintenance Tasks ... 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 Tuning 129 NVIDIA Performance 129 NVIDIA Monitor...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 11
11 Power (Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries) . . . 135 Setting Power Options 135 Windows Vista 135 Windows® XP 137 Power Protection Devices 140 Surge Protector 140 Power Line Conditioner 140 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS 141 Laptop Computer ... Charge 143 Conserving Battery Power 145 Charging the Battery 145 Storing a Battery 146 US Department of Transportation (DOT) Notebook Battery Restrictions 146 Dell™ ControlPoint Power Manager 146 12 Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband 149 Overview 149 Local Area Networks (LAN 150 What You Need...
11 Power (Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries) . . . 135 Setting Power Options 135 Windows Vista 135 Windows® XP 137 Power Protection Devices 140 Surge Protector 140 Power Line Conditioner 140 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS 141 Laptop Computer ... Charge 143 Conserving Battery Power 145 Charging the Battery 145 Storing a Battery 146 US Department of Transportation (DOT) Notebook Battery Restrictions 146 Dell™ ControlPoint Power Manager 146 12 Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband 149 Overview 149 Local Area Networks (LAN 150 What You Need...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 13
... Need to Connect to the Internet. . . . . 171 Web Browsers for Viewing Internet Sites . . . . . 172 Web Addresses 173 Setting up Your Internet Connection 173 Windows Vista 173 Windows® XP 174 Troubleshooting Problems Connecting to the Internet 175 Web Browser Settings 175 Setting the Browser Home Page 175 Setting the Way the Browser Displays...
... Need to Connect to the Internet. . . . . 171 Web Browsers for Viewing Internet Sites . . . . . 172 Web Addresses 173 Setting up Your Internet Connection 173 Windows Vista 173 Windows® XP 174 Troubleshooting Problems Connecting to the Internet 175 Web Browser Settings 175 Setting the Browser Home Page 175 Setting the Way the Browser Displays...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 14
... Size of the Temporary Files Folder 188 Maintaining Privacy by Blocking and Deleting Cookies 189 14 E-mail 191 Setting up a new E-mail Account 191 Windows Vista 192 Windows® XP 192 Managing and Organizing E-mail Messages . . . . . 192 Windows Vista 192 Windows XP 194 Securing Your E-mail 194 Reducing Spam 195 Viruses and Phishing 196 14 Contents
... Size of the Temporary Files Folder 188 Maintaining Privacy by Blocking and Deleting Cookies 189 14 E-mail 191 Setting up a new E-mail Account 191 Windows Vista 192 Windows® XP 192 Managing and Organizing E-mail Messages . . . . . 192 Windows Vista 192 Windows XP 194 Securing Your E-mail 194 Reducing Spam 195 Viruses and Phishing 196 14 Contents
Dell Technology Guide
Page 15
Avoiding E-mail Attachments 197 Viewing E-mail Messages 197 Sending E-mail 197 Windows Vista 197 Windows XP 198 Creating a Contact Group (Mailing List 198 Windows Vista 198 Windows XP 199 Backing Up E-mail Messages 200 Windows Vista 200 Windows XP 200 15 Multimedia (CDs/DVDs, 5.1 Audio, MP3s, TVs, Digital Cameras, and Projectors 203 Overview 203 CDs, DVDs, ...(MP3 Players 208 Connecting a Laptop Media Device (MP3 Player) to Your Computer 208 Setting up the Laptop Media Device to Sync in Windows Media Player 208 Setting up the Laptop Media Device the First Time 209 Contents 15
Avoiding E-mail Attachments 197 Viewing E-mail Messages 197 Sending E-mail 197 Windows Vista 197 Windows XP 198 Creating a Contact Group (Mailing List 198 Windows Vista 198 Windows XP 199 Backing Up E-mail Messages 200 Windows Vista 200 Windows XP 200 15 Multimedia (CDs/DVDs, 5.1 Audio, MP3s, TVs, Digital Cameras, and Projectors 203 Overview 203 CDs, DVDs, ...(MP3 Players 208 Connecting a Laptop Media Device (MP3 Player) to Your Computer 208 Setting up the Laptop Media Device to Sync in Windows Media Player 208 Setting up the Laptop Media Device the First Time 209 Contents 15
Dell Technology Guide
Page 17
...Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays . . . . 242 Switching the Display Image 242 Configuring Display Settings 242 Setting Display Resolution With the Windows Display Properties Menu 243 Accessing the Settings tab of the Display Properties Menu 244 Accessing Additional Functions With the Advanced Button 245 Accessing the.... . . 245 Getting Help for Video Display Resolution Problems 245 Adjusting Display Settings With the Vendor Video Card Control Panel 246 Windows Vista 246 Windows XP 246 Using the Wizards 247 Using a Video Card Wizard to Configure Display Settings 247 Contents 17
...Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays . . . . 242 Switching the Display Image 242 Configuring Display Settings 242 Setting Display Resolution With the Windows Display Properties Menu 243 Accessing the Settings tab of the Display Properties Menu 244 Accessing Additional Functions With the Advanced Button 245 Accessing the.... . . 245 Getting Help for Video Display Resolution Problems 245 Adjusting Display Settings With the Vendor Video Card Control Panel 246 Windows Vista 246 Windows XP 246 Using the Wizards 247 Using a Video Card Wizard to Configure Display Settings 247 Contents 17
Dell Technology Guide
Page 19
... 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 20 Troubleshooting 271 Troubleshooting Tools 272 Power Lights for Desktop...
... 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 20 Troubleshooting 271 Troubleshooting Tools 272 Power Lights for Desktop...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 24
...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 question. 5 Follow the instructions on your computer and devices installed on the screen. 24 Finding Information Microsoft Windows... Help and Support This information center provides instructions, hints, and general information about Microsoft Windows and explains how to use the search option. It also provides access to...
...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 question. 5 Follow the instructions on your computer and devices installed on the screen. 24 Finding Information Microsoft Windows... Help and Support This information center provides instructions, hints, and general information about Microsoft Windows and explains how to use the search option. It also provides access to...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 25
...XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on your computer through the Control Panel (see "Control Panel" on page 26). Finding Information 25 Basic Information Click Start → Help and Support→ Tools (from the Pick a Task options) to view your computer information and to view your computer information. Windows... Vista® Basic Computer Information Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System to diagnose problems. You can also view more details about your computer, click Start → Help and Support→ Dell ...
...XP User's Guides To view the user's guides available on your computer through the Control Panel (see "Control Panel" on page 26). Finding Information 25 Basic Information Click Start → Help and Support→ Tools (from the Pick a Task options) to view your computer information and to view your computer information. Windows... Vista® Basic Computer Information Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System to diagnose problems. You can also view more details about your computer, click Start → Help and Support→ Dell ...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 27
... category. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about your computer's hardware components, see the View your computer information topic in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Finding Information 27 Double click Components to view a table ... the component or device name and related setting and configuration information. Windows Vista® Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System→ Device Manager (listed under Tasks). Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→...
... category. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about your computer's hardware components, see the View your computer information topic in Windows Help and Support: click Start or → Help and Support. Finding Information 27 Double click Components to view a table ... the component or device name and related setting and configuration information. Windows Vista® Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ System→ Device Manager (listed under Tasks). Windows® XP Click Start → Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 28
... → All Programs to view available programs. If a program is available in the following sources: Device guides Windows Help and Support See Microsoft Windows Help and Support to a wireless network, as well as managing a wireless network connection. The device guide provides... helpful information about wireless networking, see "Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband)" on connections, and tutorials in basic networking. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in your computer. The "...
... → All Programs to view available programs. If a program is available in the following sources: Device guides Windows Help and Support See Microsoft Windows Help and Support to a wireless network, as well as managing a wireless network connection. The device guide provides... helpful information about wireless networking, see "Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband)" on connections, and tutorials in basic networking. Windows® XP 1 Click Start → Search→ All Files or Folders. 2 Enter the name of the program in your computer. The "...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 30
... Systems List • Security Center • Support History & Status • System Configuration • Technical Subscriptions • Troubleshooting Search • Windows Vista Center • Windows XP Support Center • Wireless Center Customer Service • Dell Financial Services • FAQs • Invoices • Missing, Wrong & Damaged • Order Status • Ownership Transfer • International Ownership Transfer...
... Systems List • Security Center • Support History & Status • System Configuration • Technical Subscriptions • Troubleshooting Search • Windows Vista Center • Windows XP Support Center • Wireless Center Customer Service • Dell Financial Services • FAQs • Invoices • Missing, Wrong & Damaged • Order Status • Ownership Transfer • International Ownership Transfer...
Dell Technology Guide
Page 36
For computers running Windows® XP, continue with the next step. 4 Click the Customize button in the icon, shortcuts are links to run a program. Double-click icons to open a file or ... an item, then choose its behavior. 6 Click OK. Deleting an Icon From the Desktop 1 Right-click the icon, and click Delete. 2 Click Yes. 36 Microsoft Windows Desktop You can safely delete a shortcut without affecting the item it links to programs, documents, and folders. Desktop Icons and Shortcuts icon shortcut Icons displayed...
For computers running Windows® XP, continue with the next step. 4 Click the Customize button in the icon, shortcuts are links to run a program. Double-click icons to open a file or ... an item, then choose its behavior. 6 Click OK. Deleting an Icon From the Desktop 1 Right-click the icon, and click Delete. 2 Click Yes. 36 Microsoft Windows Desktop You can safely delete a shortcut without affecting the item it links to programs, documents, and folders. Desktop Icons and Shortcuts icon shortcut Icons displayed...