Dell Technology Guide
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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
Dell Technology Guide
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Changing Boot Sequence to a USB Device . . . . 310 Changing the BIOS Settings 310 Viewing the BIOS Settings 311 Upgrading the BIOS (Flashing the BIOS 311 22 Ports 313 USB Port 313 IEEE 1394 Port 314 RS232 Serial Port 315 Parallel Port 316 eSATA Port 317 Modem 318 Ethernet Port 319 Keyboard and Mouse Port (PS2 320 VGA Port 321 DVI-I Port 322 S-Video TV-Out Port 323 Component Video 324 Composite Video 325 HDMI Port 326 DisplayPort 327 S/PDIF Port (Coaxial RCA 328 Contents 21
Changing Boot Sequence to a USB Device . . . . 310 Changing the BIOS Settings 310 Viewing the BIOS Settings 311 Upgrading the BIOS (Flashing the BIOS 311 22 Ports 313 USB Port 313 IEEE 1394 Port 314 RS232 Serial Port 315 Parallel Port 316 eSATA Port 317 Modem 318 Ethernet Port 319 Keyboard and Mouse Port (PS2 320 VGA Port 321 DVI-I Port 322 S-Video TV-Out Port 323 Component Video 324 Composite Video 325 HDMI Port 326 DisplayPort 327 S/PDIF Port (Coaxial RCA 328 Contents 21
Dell Technology Guide
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... Dell Forums • Support Forums • Discussion Forums Contact Us • Customer Service • Financing Support • Sales Support • Technical Support • International Notebook Support BIOS (System Setup Program) Settings The BIOS is recommended. Use the system setup program to update your BIOS settings... system. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about your computer's time, date, or password can be changed using the BIOS, using options provided by the operating system is a utility that serves as your password. • Verify information about accessing...
... Dell Forums • Support Forums • Discussion Forums Contact Us • Customer Service • Financing Support • Sales Support • Technical Support • International Notebook Support BIOS (System Setup Program) Settings The BIOS is recommended. Use the system setup program to update your BIOS settings... system. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about your computer's time, date, or password can be changed using the BIOS, using options provided by the operating system is a utility that serves as your password. • Verify information about accessing...
Dell Technology Guide
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... create a RAID 0 configuration, use the arrow keys to select Mirroring. 5 Press to navigate to enter the RAID BIOS. Drives and Media 89 To create a RAID 1 configuration, use the arrow keys to exit the RAID BIOS. 2 Restart the computer. 3 Press when prompted to the Free Disks field. 6 Use the up , use the arrow...
... create a RAID 0 configuration, use the arrow keys to select Mirroring. 5 Press to navigate to enter the RAID BIOS. Drives and Media 89 To create a RAID 1 configuration, use the arrow keys to exit the RAID BIOS. 2 Restart the computer. 3 Press when prompted to the Free Disks field. 6 Use the up , use the arrow...
Dell Technology Guide
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... well as evaluate the effectiveness of the installed components may also create, save and apply customized LED effects through this interface. Dynamic BIOS Access This section of compatible components inside your computer. NVIDIA Monitor The NVIDIA Monitor application allows you to monitor, track and log ... characteristics of the NVIDIA Control Panel allows you to these settings or choosing options outside the capabilities of a change available BIOS settings via a Windows user interface. Improperly configuring these options and settings take effect on the next reboot.
... well as evaluate the effectiveness of the installed components may also create, save and apply customized LED effects through this interface. Dynamic BIOS Access This section of compatible components inside your computer. NVIDIA Monitor The NVIDIA Monitor application allows you to monitor, track and log ... characteristics of the NVIDIA Control Panel allows you to these settings or choosing options outside the capabilities of a change available BIOS settings via a Windows user interface. Improperly configuring these options and settings take effect on the next reboot.
Dell Technology Guide
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... is interrupted. Power (Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries) 141 NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your laptop computer with the main battery installed at all times. One battery is available. Laptop Computer Batteries To ensure optimal performance and...
... is interrupted. Power (Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries) 141 NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your laptop computer with the main battery installed at all times. One battery is available. Laptop Computer Batteries To ensure optimal performance and...
Dell Technology Guide
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...turned on or off . DCP icon Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband) 167 You can accomplish this task through: • Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager • System BIOS, available through the system setup program (see "Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Card With a Wireless Switch" on page 157). Scanning for... scan for using the wireless switch or button. The wireless switch uses the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator to scan specifically for a few seconds (see "System Setup" on page 307) Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager You can use when your vicinity. To scan for a wireless...
...turned on or off . DCP icon Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband) 167 You can accomplish this task through: • Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager • System BIOS, available through the system setup program (see "Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Card With a Wireless Switch" on page 157). Scanning for... scan for using the wireless switch or button. The wireless switch uses the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator to scan specifically for a few seconds (see "System Setup" on page 307) Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager You can use when your vicinity. To scan for a wireless...
Dell Technology Guide
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... failure or keyboard cable loose (see "Keyboard Problems for either the operating system or the program that the boot sequence information is not listed in BIOS setup. N O T I M E R T I C K I L U R E - D E C R E A S I N G A V A I O N - I N V A L I D C O N F I G U R A T I O N I N F O R M A T I L A B L E M E M O R Y - AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE VERIFY THAT MOUSE AND KEYBOARD ARE SECURELY ATTACHED TO CORRECT..., possible HDD failure. See "Lockups and Software Problems" on page 337). Contact Dell (see the documentation for External Keyboards" on page 292). The system cannot detect ...
... failure or keyboard cable loose (see "Keyboard Problems for either the operating system or the program that the boot sequence information is not listed in BIOS setup. N O T I M E R T I C K I L U R E - D E C R E A S I N G A V A I O N - I N V A L I D C O N F I G U R A T I O N I N F O R M A T I L A B L E M E M O R Y - AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE VERIFY THAT MOUSE AND KEYBOARD ARE SECURELY ATTACHED TO CORRECT..., possible HDD failure. See "Lockups and Software Problems" on page 337). Contact Dell (see the documentation for External Keyboards" on page 292). The system cannot detect ...
Dell Technology Guide
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... be bootable. To ensure that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. Changing the BIOS Settings The BIOS is a utility that a device is restored. The BIOS settings may need to a USB device, the device must be updated for the current boot only). Performing a... Shut down your computer. 3 When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press . When the DELL logo appears, press immediately. The next time you see the Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again. 4 The Boot Menu appears, ...
... be bootable. To ensure that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. Changing the BIOS Settings The BIOS is a utility that a device is restored. The BIOS settings may need to a USB device, the device must be updated for the current boot only). Performing a... Shut down your computer. 3 When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press . When the DELL logo appears, press immediately. The next time you see the Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again. 4 The Boot Menu appears, ...
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..., and then click Save. NOTE: It is available or when replacing the system board. This BIOS Version/Date item displays the BIOS version and date. Upgrading the BIOS (Flashing the BIOS) The BIOS may not apply to download the file. 4 If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click ...Yes, I Accept this Agreement. The file downloads to your computer at the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. 3...
..., and then click Save. NOTE: It is available or when replacing the system board. This BIOS Version/Date item displays the BIOS version and date. Upgrading the BIOS (Flashing the BIOS) The BIOS may not apply to download the file. 4 If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click ...Yes, I Accept this Agreement. The file downloads to your computer at the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. 3...
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The file icon appears on your desktop and is titled the same as the downloaded BIOS update file. 8 Double-click the file icon on the desktop and follow the instructions on the screen. 312 System Setup 7 Click Close when the Download Complete window appears.
The file icon appears on your desktop and is titled the same as the downloaded BIOS update file. 8 Double-click the file icon on the desktop and follow the instructions on the screen. 312 System Setup 7 Click Close when the Download Complete window appears.
Dell Technology Guide
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... Host Controller Interface - A standard to define a mechanism for reporting hardware and software alerts to as an interface between the video circuitry and the computer memory. BIOS - A program designed to be platform- antivirus software - battery operating time - The form of time (minutes or hours) that serves as system setup. 339 Glossary Terms...
... Host Controller Interface - A standard to define a mechanism for reporting hardware and software alerts to as an interface between the video circuitry and the computer memory. BIOS - A program designed to be platform- antivirus software - battery operating time - The form of time (minutes or hours) that serves as system setup. 339 Glossary Terms...
Dell Technology Guide
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.... A single point on self-test - A video resolution, such as logical drives. Plug and Play provides automatic installation, configuration, and compatibility with existing hardware if the BIOS, operating system, and all devices are common types of transferring data between the processor and the devices attached to create an image. NVRAM - NVRAM is...
.... A single point on self-test - A video resolution, such as logical drives. Plug and Play provides automatic installation, configuration, and compatibility with existing hardware if the BIOS, operating system, and all devices are common types of transferring data between the processor and the devices attached to create an image. NVRAM - NVRAM is...
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... video flicker can view but cannot edit or delete. A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions. read -only memory - refresh rate - radio frequency interference - BIOS, that perform basic tests on the major computer components, such as the CPU (central processing unit). The primary temporary storage area for program instructions and...
... video flicker can view but cannot edit or delete. A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions. read -only memory - refresh rate - radio frequency interference - BIOS, that perform basic tests on the major computer components, such as the CPU (central processing unit). The primary temporary storage area for program instructions and...
Dell Technology Guide
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... that shuts down all unnecessary computer operations to authenticate a user on or off). super-extended graphics array - system board - The main circuit board in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password. Enables Windows programs to configure user-selectable options in your computer. surge protectors - telephony application programming interface...
... that shuts down all unnecessary computer operations to authenticate a user on or off). super-extended graphics array - system board - The main circuit board in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password. Enables Windows programs to configure user-selectable options in your computer. surge protectors - telephony application programming interface...
Quick Reference Guide
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... your computer. Processor Processor type Level 2 (L2) cache Memory Type Memory connectors Memory capacities Minimum memory Maximum memory Computer Information Chipset DMA channels Interrupt levels BIOS chip (EEPROM) System clock Intel® Core™2 Duo Intel Core2 Extreme (dual-core and quad-core processor) Intel Core2 Quad (quad-core processor) Intel...
... your computer. Processor Processor type Level 2 (L2) cache Memory Type Memory connectors Memory capacities Minimum memory Maximum memory Computer Information Chipset DMA channels Interrupt levels BIOS chip (EEPROM) System clock Intel® Core™2 Duo Intel Core2 Extreme (dual-core and quad-core processor) Intel Core2 Quad (quad-core processor) Intel...
Quick Reference Guide
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...the same type into your computer beeps during start-up: 1 Write down the beep code. 2 Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 54. 26 Troubleshooting system board failure. 2 No memory modules 1 If you have two or... on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com), and then restart the computer. Code Description (repetitive short beeps) Suggested Remedy 1 BIOS checksum Contact Dell. If your computer (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com). 3 If the problem persists, contact Dell. For more...
...the same type into your computer beeps during start-up: 1 Write down the beep code. 2 Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 54. 26 Troubleshooting system board failure. 2 No memory modules 1 If you have two or... on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com), and then restart the computer. Code Description (repetitive short beeps) Suggested Remedy 1 BIOS checksum Contact Dell. If your computer (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com). 3 If the problem persists, contact Dell. For more...
Quick Reference Guide
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Troubleshooting 27 For more information, see Failure "Contacting Dell" on page 54. For more information, see failure "Contacting Dell" on page 54. 7 CPU cache test Contact Dell. battery failure or 2 If the problem persists, contact Dell (see the Service Manual on page 54). 6 Video BIOS Test Contact Dell. Code Description (repetitive short beeps) Suggested Remedy 4 RAM Read...
Troubleshooting 27 For more information, see Failure "Contacting Dell" on page 54. For more information, see failure "Contacting Dell" on page 54. 7 CPU cache test Contact Dell. battery failure or 2 If the problem persists, contact Dell (see the Service Manual on page 54). 6 Video BIOS Test Contact Dell. Code Description (repetitive short beeps) Suggested Remedy 4 RAM Read...
Quick Reference Guide
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...correctly in the system setup program (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at both ends. Corrective Action Enter the system setup program (see the Service Manual on the system board. The BIOS cannot communicate with the hard drive controller. Troubleshooting 29 The keyboard ...or system board may be replaced. Check the interface cable at support.dell.com). Ensure that the hard drive is installed correctly in the...
...correctly in the system setup program (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at both ends. Corrective Action Enter the system setup program (see the Service Manual on the system board. The BIOS cannot communicate with the hard drive controller. Troubleshooting 29 The keyboard ...or system board may be replaced. Check the interface cable at support.dell.com). Ensure that the hard drive is installed correctly in the...
Quick Reference Guide
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Ensure that nothing is resting on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com) and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified. The operating system cannot be located on the keyboard; Corrective Action The keyboard or system ... to replace the keyboard. The operating system cannot be stuck, carefully pry it up . The BIOS has detected a stuck key. If the problem persists, you may need to be located on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com) and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified. 30 Troubleshooting if a key appears...
Ensure that nothing is resting on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com) and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified. The operating system cannot be located on the keyboard; Corrective Action The keyboard or system ... to replace the keyboard. The operating system cannot be stuck, carefully pry it up . The BIOS has detected a stuck key. If the problem persists, you may need to be located on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com) and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified. 30 Troubleshooting if a key appears...