Reference Guide
Table Of Contents
- Contents
- Finding Information
- Microsoft Windows Desktop
- Monitors and Displays
- Navigation Devices (Mouse, Keyboard, Touch Pad)
- Printers-Settings and Drivers
- Drives and Media
- Shutting Down Your Computer
- Windows Vista®
- Windows® XP
- Shutdown States
- Docking and Undocking Your Laptop Computer
- Shutting Down Your Computer When it Fails to Shut Down Normally
- Shutting Down a Computer When it Stops Responding and Displays a Solid Blue Screen
- Starting Your Computer in Safe Mode
- Restarting Your Computer After a Power Loss
- Files and Folders
- Managing Applications (Programs)
- Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security)
- Power (Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries)
- Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband)
- Overview
- Local Area Networks (LAN)
- Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)
- Ad Hoc Networks
- Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network) Networks
- WiMAX
- WPAN
- Managing Your Network
- Locating Networks With the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator
- Managing Networked Computers With Intel® Active Management Technology
- Accessing the Internet
- Overview
- Setting up Your Internet Connection
- Troubleshooting Problems Connecting to the Internet
- Web Browser Settings
- Internet Security and Privacy
- Controlling Pop-ups
- Controlling Unwanted Toolbars
- Content Advisory/Parental Controls
- Bookmarking Favorite Websites
- Searching for Information on the Internet
- Changing the Internet Communications Protocol (TCP/IP) Settings
- Printing a Web Page
- Freeing up Space and Protecting Your Computer
- Maintaining Privacy by Blocking and Deleting Cookies
- Multimedia (CDs/DVDs, 5.1 Audio, MP3s, TVs, Digital Cameras, and Projectors)
- Overview
- CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Disc™ Media
- 5.1 Audio
- Laptop Media Devices (MP3 Players)
- Playing Media Using the Dell Travel Remote
- Adjusting the Volume on Your Computer
- Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Through the Media Software
- Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio in the Windows Audio Driver
- Setting up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones
- Using a Digital Camera With Your Computer
- Using Windows Media Player
- Connecting Your Computer to a TV and Adjusting Display Settings
- Accessing a TV With Your Computer Using a TV Tuner Card
- Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
- Physically Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
- Performing the Basic Connection Steps
- Selecting the Correct Input Signal From the TV Menu
- Evaluating Suggested Connection Configurations
- Enabling the Display View for the Computer and the TV
- Configuring Display Settings
- Adjusting Display Settings With the Vendor Video Card Control Panel
- Using the Wizards
- Troubleshooting Display Settings
- Security and Privacy
- Protecting Your Computer-Using Administrator Rights, User Groups, and Passwords
- Smart Cards
- Fingerprint Readers
- Facial Recognition Software
- Using a Firewall to Secure Your Computer
- Encrypting Files and Folders
- Using Antivirus Software
- Maintaining Security When Using a Public Wireless Network
- Reducing the Risk of Getting Computer Viruses
- Dealing With Cookies
- Avoiding Spyware and Malware
- Microsoft®Windows® XP Pro Remote Desktop
- Restoring Your Operating System
- Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting Tools
- Solving Problems
- Battery Problems
- Drive Problems
- Optical Drive Problems
- E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
- Error Messages
- IEEE 1394 Device Problems
- Keyboard Problems for External Keyboards
- Lockups and Software Problems
- Memory Problems
- Mouse Problems
- Network Problems
- Power Problems
- Printer Problems
- Scanner Problems
- Sound and Speaker Problems
- Touch Pad or Mouse Problems for Laptop Computers
- Video and Monitor Problems
- Power Lights
- Dell Technical Update Service
- System Setup
- Ports
- Getting Help
- Glossary
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smart card — A card that is embedded with a processor and a memory chip. Smart
cards can be used to authenticate a user on computers equipped for smart cards.
S/PDIF — Sony/Philips Digital Interface — An audio transfer file format that allows
the transfer of audio from one file to another without converting it to and from an
analog format, which could degrade the quality of the file.
standby mode — A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessary
computer operations to save energy.
Strike Zone™ — Reinforced area of the platform base that protects the hard drive by
acting as a dampening device when a computer experiences resonating shock or is
dropped (whether the computer is on or off).
surge protectors — Prevent voltage spikes, such as those that may occur during an
electrical storm, from entering the computer through the electrical outlet. Surge
protectors do not protect against lightning strikes or against brownouts, which occur
when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal AC-line voltage level.
Network connections cannot be protected by surge protectors. Always disconnect the
network cable from the network connector during electrical storms.
SVGA — super-video graphics array — A video standard for video cards and
controllers. Typical SVGA resolutions are 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768.
The number of colors and resolution that a program displays depends on the
capabilities of the monitor, the video controller and its drivers, and the amount of
video memory installed in the computer.
S-video TV-out — A connector used to attach a TV or digital audio device to the
computer.
SXGA — super-extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and
controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 1024.
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 user-selectable options
in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password. Unless you understand what
effect the settings have on the computer, do not change the settings for this program.
T
TAPI — telephony application programming interface — Enables Windows programs
to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices, including voice, data, fax, and