Dell™ EC280 Owner’s Manual Model EC280 w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l .
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 damage, personal injury, or death. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2007 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Contents Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Front View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Back View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Options Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Power Schemes Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Advanced Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Hibernate Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The screen is blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 The screen is difficult to read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 3 Removing and Installing Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 System Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer. What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Drivers for my computer • My device documentation Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as Resource CD) NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows License Label (optional) Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License • Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked questions • Community — Online discussion with other Dell customers • Customer Care — Contact information, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information • Service and Support — Service call status, support history
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD NOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer. After you reinstall your operating system, use the Drivers and Utilities CD (Resource CD) to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer. Your operating system product key label is located on your computer. NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating system you ordered.
1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer CAUTION: Your computer should only be mounted horizontally. Never mount it vertically. CAUTION: To ensure adequate cooling, do not block any of the vents. 10 • Ensure that there is a minimum of 2 inches of space between all vents and any object near these vents. • Keep the vent area clean and dust-free to ensure that the system is adequately ventilated. Use only a dry cloth to clean the vent area to avoid water damage to the system.
Front View of the Computer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 CD or DVD drive Type of drive depends on model 2 CD or DVD eject button Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive. 3 power button Press to turn on the computer. NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown. 4 power light The power light indicates when the computer is powered on.
Back View of the Computer 1 13 12 2 12 11 3 4 10 5 6 9 8 7 1 cable clip Use to hold DC-in or other cables. 2 line-out/headphone connector Use the (green) line-out connector to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers. 3 line-in connector Use the (blue) line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR. 4 link integrity light • Green — A good connection exists between a 10Mbps network and the computer.
5 network adapter connector NOTICE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector. Use the network adapter connector to attach your computer to a network or broadband device. Connect one end of a network cable to either a network jack or your network or broadband device, and then connect the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.
Installing Drivers for Your Computer To install drivers: 1 Insert Drivers and Utilities CD into CD /DVD drive. The installation starts automatically and the installation screen appears. 2 Click on VGA Driver and follow the instructions to complete installation. 3 Click on Audio Driver and follow the instructions to complete installation. 4 Click on LAN Driver and follow the instructions to complete installation.
Setting Up a Printer (USB type) NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer. See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to: • Obtain and install updated drivers • Connect the printer to the computer • Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge For technical assistance, refer to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer.
3 Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. 4 Install the printer driver, if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer. 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.
5 Click Next. If you selected Set up my connection manually, continue to step 6. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP. 6 Click the appropriate option under How do you want to connect to the Internet?, and then click Next. 7 Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the CD software that came with your computer. NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs.
Adjusting the Volume NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing. 1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs>Accessories>Entertainment, and then click Volume Control. 2 In the Volume Control window, click and drag the bar in the Volume Control column up or down to increase or decrease the volume. For more information on volume control options, click Help in the Volume Control window.
Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter NOTICE: Plug the network cable into the network adapter connector on the computer. Do not plug the network cable into the modem connector on the computer. NOTICE: Do not plug a network cable into a telephone wall jack. 1 Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer. Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure.
Power Management The Microsoft® Windows® XP power management features can reduce the amount of electricity your computer uses when it is on and you are not using it. You can reduce power to just the monitor or the hard drive, or you can use standby mode or hibernate mode to reduce power to the entire computer. When the computer exits from a power conservation mode, the Windows desktop is restored to the state it was in before it entered the mode.
To exit from hibernate mode, press the power button. The computer may take a short time to exit from hibernate mode. Pressing a key on the keyboard or moving the mouse does not bring the computer out of hibernation because the keyboard and the mouse do not function when the computer is in hibernate mode.
NOTICE: If you set the hard drive (hard disk) to time-out before the monitor does, your computer may appear to be locked up. To recover, press any key on the keyboard or click the mouse. To avoid this problem, always set the monitor to time-out before the hard drive. Advanced Tab The Advanced tab allows you to: • Place the power options icon in the Windows taskbar for quick access. • Set the computer to prompt you for your Windows password before the computer exits from standby mode or hibernate mode.
2 Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Follow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer: • If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed. • If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected. • If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. This message may help support personnel diagnose and fix the problem.
ENSURE THAT MICROSOFT ® WINDOWS ® RECOGNIZES TH E DRIVE — Click the Start button, then click My Computer. If the CD or DVD drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. TEST THE DRIVE — • Insert another CD or DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original one is defective. CL EA N TH E DR IVE OR DI SK — See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 61.
TURN OF F S TAND BY MO D E IN W IND OWS BEF OR E WRI TING TO A CD/ D VD-R W D ISC — 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Power Options. 4 From the Power Schemes tab, select Always On. Hard Drive Problems RUN CHEC K DIS K — 1 Click the Start button, then click My Computer. 2 Right-click Local Disk C:. 3 Click Properties. 4 Click the Tools tab. 5 Under Error-checking, click Check Now.
C H EC K T H E T E L E P H O N E L I N E C O NNE C TI O N — CHEC K THE TELEPHONE JA CK — C O N NE C T T H E M O D E M D I R EC T LY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK — USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE — • Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem. The jack has either a green label or a connector-shaped icon next to it. • Ensure that you hear a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem. • Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone.
A REQU IR E D . DL L F I LE WAS N OT F OU N D — The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file. To remove and then reinstall the program: 1 Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs. 2 Select the program you want to remove. 3 Click the Change or Remove Program icon. 4 See the program documentation for installation instructions. drive letter :\ IS NOT ACCESS IBLE. THE DEVICE IS NOT READY — The drive cannot read the disk.
Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. The computer does not start up ENSURE THAT THE POWER CABLE IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET The computer stops responding NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system RUN THE P ROGRAM COMPAT IB IL I TY WI ZAR D — The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so it runs in an environment similar to non-Windows XP operating system environments. 1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs>Accessories, and then click Program Compatibility Wizard. 2 In the welcome screen, click Next. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen.
Memory Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. IF Y O U R E C E I V E A N I NS UF FI C I E N T M E MO RY M E S S AG E — • Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem. • Reseat the memory module (See "Memory" on page 42) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
CHEC K THE MOUSE SETTINGS — 1 Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other Hardware. 2 Click Mouse. 3 Try adjusting the settings. Network Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48.
IF THE POWER LIGHT IS OFF — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power. • Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet. • If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.
CHEC K THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS — • See the printer documentation for cable connection information. • Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer (see "Setting Up a Printer (USB type)" on page 15). TEST THE EL ECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
A D J U ST T H E WI N D O W S V O LU ME C O NT R O L — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted. DI SC ONNECT H E AD PH ONES F RO M THE H E AD PH ONE CO NNECTOR — Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the computer’s front-panel headphone connector.
The screen is blank CHEC K THE MONITOR CABL E CONNEC TION — • Ensure that the graphics cable is connected as shown on the setup diagram for your computer. • If you are using a graphics extension cable and removing the cable solves the problem, the cable is defective. • Check the connector for bent or broken pins. It is normal for monitor cable connectors to have missing pins. CHEC K THE MONITOR POWER L IGHT — If the power light is off, firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on.
3 Removing and Installing 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 Off Your Computer" on page 37 and "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 38. • You have read the safety information in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48.
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 located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. CAUTION: Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket.
NOTICE: Work on a level, protected surface to avoid scratching either the computer or the surface on which it rests. 2 Lay your computer horizontally, with the computer cover facing up. NOTICE: Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do not accidentally disconnect cables from the system board. 3 Remove the two screws from the back of the computer, as shown in the following image. 1 1 cover screws 4 Slide the cover back about 10mm (2/5"), then lift it off vertically.
Inside View of Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. CAUTION: To avoid electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. NOTICE: Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do not accidentally disconnect cables from the system board.
After removing the hard drive, you will have access to the memory module and the battery, as shown in the following image.
System Board Components 3 1 2 1 battery 2 memory module 3 reset CMOS jumper (J16) Memory Your computer has one memory module installed on the system board. You can increase your computer memory by replacing this with a larger memory module. You must remove the old memory module before replacing with new memory. Your computer supports SODIMM DDRI memory. For additional information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Specifications" on page 52.
See the label on the module to determine the module’s capacity. NOTICE: Do not install ECC or buffered memory modules. Only unbuffered, non-ECC memory is supported. NOTE: Memory purchased from Dell is covered under your computer warranty. Removing Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48.
3 Pull module back to release. If the module is difficult to remove, gently ease the module back and forth to remove it from the connector. Installing Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the module straight down into the connector while you apply equal force to each end of the module. 4 Push the module forward into the connector (1), then press down until the module snaps into position (2). If you insert the module correctly, the securing clips snap into the notches at each end of the module. 2 2 1 1 5 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 47).
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis. A coin-cell battery maintains computer configuration, date, and time information. The battery can last several years. If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on the computer, replace the battery.
Replacing the Computer Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. 1 Ensure that all cables are connected, and fold cables out of the way. 2 Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the computer. 3 To replace the cover: a Place the cover on the computer with a gap of about 10mm (2/5") at the front.
4 Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions Use the following safety guidelines to help ensure your own personal safety and to help protect your device (computer, port replicator, media base, docking station, and similar devices) and working environment from potential damage. Safety Instructions Observe the following safe-handling guidelines to ensure personal safety: 48 • When setting up the device for work, place it on a level surface.
• Do not spill food or liquids on your computer. • Before you clean your device, disconnect the device from the electrical outlet. Clean your device with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances. • Ensure that nothing rests on your AC adapter’s power cable and that the cable is not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on.
Battery Safety CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell that is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer. • Do not carry a battery pack in your pocket, purse, or other container where metal objects (such as car keys or paper clips) could short-circuit the battery terminals.
• Clean the display with a soft, clean cloth and water. Apply the water to the cloth; then stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom. Remove moisture from the display quickly and keep the display dry. Long-term exposure to moisture can damage the display. Do not use a commercial window cleaner to clean your display. CAUTION: When preparing your AC adapter for travel, wrap both of the cords around the adapter in the same direction.
5 Appendix Specifications Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel Celeron M processor Memory Type 333 MHz SODIMM DDRI Memory Socket x1 Memory modules supported 256 MB, 512 MB, or 1 GB non-ECC Minimum memory 256 MB Maximum memory 1 GB Computer Information Chipset SisM661GX DMA channels six BIOS chip LPC Flash 4 Mb NIC integrated network interface Capable of 10/100 communication Video Type SiS integrated video (DirectX 7.
Controllers Drives two PATA controllers supporting two devices Drives Externally accessible one 3.5-inch drive bay one 5.25-inch drive bay Available devices PATA hard drive, CD drive, DVD drive, DVD +/- RW drive, and CD-RW/DVD Combo drive Connectors External connectors: Power DC Jack Video 15-hole VGA connector Network adapter RJ45 connector USB two front-panel and two back-panel USB 2.
Controls and Lights Link light solid yellow light indicates network connection Link integrity light orange off — 10 Mb operation orange light — 100 Mb operation Power DC adapter: Wattage 65 W Voltage automatic selection power supplies — 100 to 240 V at 50/60 Hz Backup battery 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell Physical Height 7.5 cm (2.95 inches) Width 27.0 cm (10.63 inches) Depth 22.5 cm (8.86 inches) Weight 3.6 kg (7.
NOTE: The “Enter Boot Menu” prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it to display, and then press . If you press before you are prompted, this keystroke will be lost. 3 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 (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 37) and try again.
System Boot Sequence The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in this list. System Info Lists the computer name, BIOS Version and Service Tag. None of these fields can be modified. Drives Primary IDE Master Identifies, enables and disables the drives attached to the IDE connectors on the system board and lists the capacities for the hard drives.
Security Password Changes (Unlocked default) Determines the interaction between the System password and the Admin password. Locked prevents a user without a valid Admin password from being able to modify the System password. Unlocked allows a user with a valid System password to modify the system password. Power Management AC Recovery (Off default) Auto Power On (Off default) Auto Power Time Determines how the system responds when AC power is re-applied after a power loss.
POST Behavior POST Hotkeys (Setup & Boot Menu default) Determines whether the sign-on screen displays a message stating the keystroke sequence that is required to enter the Setup program or the Quickboot feature. Setup & Boot Menu displays both messages (Del=Setup and F11=Boot Menu). Setup displays the setup message only (Del=Setup). Boot Menu displays the Quickboot message only (F11=Boot Menu). None displays no message. Boot Menu This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.
The Boot Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. 5 Use the arrow keys to select the appropriate device (for the current boot only). NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that a device is bootable, check the device documentation. Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots 1 Enter system setup, select Boot Sequence from the System group (see "System Setup Options" on page 55). 2 Press to access the menu.
Jumper Location Clearing CMOS and Password Settings CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 37. 2 Reset the current CMOS settings: a Locate the 2-pin CMOS jumper (J16) on the system board (see "Jumper Location" on page 60). b Remove the jumper plug from the "Normal" position.
Cleaning Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in "Safety, Environmental, and Ergonomic Instructions" on page 48. Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
CDs and DVDs NOTICE: Always use compressed air to clean the lens in the CD/DVD drive, and follow the instructions that come with the compressed-air product. Never touch the lens in the drive. If you notice problems, such as skipping, with the playback quality of your CDs or DVDs, try cleaning the discs. 1 Hold the disc by its outer edge. You can also touch the inside edge of the center hole. NOTICE: To avoid damaging the surface, do not wipe in a circular motion around the disc.
Contacting Dell When you need to contact Dell, use the electronic addresses, telephone numbers, and codes provided in the following table. If you need assistance in determining which codes to use, contact a local or international operator. Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City Code Department Name or Service Area, Website and E-Mail Address China (Xiamen) Technical support website: http://support.dell.com.cn Country Code: 86 Technical support BBS: http://bbs.dell.com.
Glossary Terms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may or may not describe features included with your particular computer. A AC — alternating current — The form of electricity that powers your computer when you plug the AC adapter power cable in to an electrical outlet.
BTU — British thermal unit — A measurement of heat output. bus — A communication pathway between the components in your computer. bus speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information. byte — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits. C C — Celsius — A temperature measurement scale where 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point of water.
DIMM — dual in-line memory module — A circuit board with memory chips that connects to a memory module on the system board. dual display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also referred to as extended display mode. DIN connector — A round, six-pin connector that conforms to DIN (Deutsche Industrie-Norm) standards; it is typically used to connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse cable connectors. DVD-R — DVD recordable — A recordable version of a DVD.
ESD — electrostatic discharge — A rapid discharge of static electricity. ESD can damage integrated circuits found in computer and communications equipment. FCC — Federal Communications Commission — A expansion card — A circuit board that installs in an expansion slot on the system board in some computers, expanding the capabilities of the computer. Examples include video, modem, and sound cards.
Most programs that operate on the Windows operating systems are GUIs. infrared sensor — A port that allows you to transfer data between the computer and infrared-compatible devices without using a cable connection. H integrated — Usually refers to components that are physically located on the computer’s system board. Also referred to as built-in. hard drive — A drive that reads and writes data on a hard disk. The terms hard drive and hard disk are often used interchangeably.
kHz — kilohertz — A measurement of frequency that equals 1000 Hz. L LAN — local area network — A computer network covering a small area. A LAN usually is confined to a building or a few nearby buildings. A LAN can be connected to another LAN over any distance through telephone lines and radio waves to form a wide area network (WAN). LCD — liquid crystal display — The technology used by portable computer and flat-panel displays.
ms — millisecond — A measure of time that equals one thousandth of a second. Access times of storage devices are often measured in ms. partition — A physical storage area on a hard drive that is assigned to one or more logical storage areas known as logical drives. Each partition can contain multiple logical drives. N PC Card — A removable I/O card adhering to the network adapter — A chip that provides network capabilities.
memory, hard drives, and video. If no problems are detected during POST, the computer continues the start-up. processor — A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions. Sometimes the processor is referred to as the CPU (central processing unit). PS/2 — personal system/2 — A type of connector for attaching a PS/2-compatible keyboard, mouse, or keypad.
ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the hard disk’s surface for errors. ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has stopped responding. SCSI — small computer system interface — A highspeed interface used to connect devices to a computer, such as hard drives, CD drives, printers, and scanners. The SCSI can connect many devices using a single controller. Each device is accessed by an individual identification number on the SCSI controller bus.
SXGA+ — super-extended graphics array plus — A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050. system board — The main circuit board in your computer. Also known as the motherboard. system setup — A utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. System setup allows you to configure userselectable options in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password.
video memory — Memory that consists of memory chips dedicated to video functions. Video memory is usually faster than system memory. The amount of video memory installed primarily influences the number of colors that a program can display. video mode — A mode that describes how text and graphics are displayed on a monitor. Graphics-based software, such as Windows operating systems, displays in video modes that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors.
Index B line-out/headphone, 11-12 microphone, 11, 13 modem, 13 parallel port, 13 PS-2, 13 USB 2.
problems, 28 drives, 24 email, 26 error messages, 27 general, 29 hard drive, 26 Internet, 26 keyboard, 28 memory, 31 monitor, 35 mouse, 31 network, 32 power, 32 printer, 33 program crashes, 29 program stops responding, 29 programs and Windows compatibility, 30 screen, 35 software, 29 sound and speakers, 34 troubleshooting tips, 24 reinstalling, 9 Operating System CD, 9 L labels Microsoft Windows, 8 Service Tag, 8 P password clearing, 59 jumper, 60 playing CDs and DVDs, 17 M memory installing, 44 overvi
standby mode, 21 support website, 8 system board, 42 system setup entering, 54 options, 55 overview, 54 screen, 55 Help and Support Center, 8 Network Setup Wizard, 20 Program Compatibility Wizard, 30 reinstalling, 9 wizards Network Setup Wizard, 20 Program Compatibility Wizard, 30 T troubleshooting Help and Support Center, 8 tips, 24 U USB booting to devices, 59 connectors, 11, 13 V VGA connector, 13 video connector, 13 volume adjusting, 35 W warranty information, 7 Windows XP Index 77
