Dell™ XPS™ M1330 Owner’s Manual Model PP25L 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 1 Finding Information 2 About Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Determining Your Computer’s Configuration Front View 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right Side View 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Bottom View 3 19 . . . . . . Left Side View Back View 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Protection Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Surge Protectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Line Conditioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) 4 Using the System Setup Program System Setup Screen . . . . . . . 37 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Commonly Used Options Cleaning Your Computer . Computer, Keyboard, and Display . . . . . . . . . 40 . . . .
6 Using the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Adjusting Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display To a Projector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 . . . . . 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate 7 Using a Battery Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Checking the Battery Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dell QuickSet Battery Meter . . .
8 Using Multimedia Playing Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Copying CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to Copy a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Using Blank CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips Adjusting the Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Adjusting the Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Using Dell MediaDirect™ . . . .
11 Setting Up and Using Networks . . . . . . . 71 . . . . . . . . . 71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting Up a Network Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) . . . . . . . . . What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Checking Your Wireless Network Card . . . . . . . 72 . . . . . . 72 Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem . . . . . Connecting to a WLAN .
13 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dell Technical Update Service Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Dell Support Utility Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Optical drive problems Hard drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . Error Messages . . . . . . . . 92 . . .
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN]) . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 . . . . . 105 Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Printer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Scanner Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sound and Speaker Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Removing the Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Replacing the Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 . . . . . . . . . . . Hinge Covers and Center Control Cover . . . . . . . .
Flash Cache Module (FCM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Removing the FCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Replacing the FCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Removing the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Replacing the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Coin-Cell Battery Removing the Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . .
Product Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 . . . . . 156 Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 18 Specifications 19 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . 167 . . . . . . . 167 . . . . . . . . 168 . . . . . . . . .
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 and Utilities Media A diagnostic program for my computer Drivers for my computer Device documentation Notebook System Software (NSS) Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • • • • • • Dell™ Product Information Guide Warranty information Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) Safety instructions Regulatory information Ergonomics information End User License Agreement • How to set up my computer Setup Diagram NOTE: The appearance of your setup diagram may vary.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft® Windows® License Label Service Tag and Microsoft Windows Product Key These labels are located on your computer. • Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. • Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked questions • Community — Online discussion with other Dell customers • Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as the memory, hard drive, and operating system • Customer Care — Contact information, service call and order status, and warranty and repair information • Service and support — Service call status, support history, service contract, and o
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints — Frequently asked questions, hot topics, and general health of your computing environment Dell Support Utility The Dell Support Utility is an automated upgrade and notification system installed on your computer. This support provides real-time health scans of your computing environment, software updates, and relevant self-support information. Access the Dell Support Utility from the icon on the taskbar.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • How to reinstall my operating system Operating System Media The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use one of the following methods: • Microsoft Windows System Restore — Microsoft Windows System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. • Dell PC Restore — Dell PC Restore returns your computer to its original operating state.
About Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s Configuration Based on selections that you made when purchasing your computer, your computer has one of several different video controller configurations. To determine your computer’s video controller configuration: 1 Click Start , and then click Help and Support. 2 Under Pick a Task, click Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems. 3 Under My Computer Information, select Hardware.
Front View 1 3 2 14 13 4 12 5 6 11 20 10 9 8 7 1 camera indicator 2 camera (optional) 3 display 4 media control buttons 5 keyboard 6 fingerprint reader (optional) 7 8-in-1 memory reader 8 microphone connector 9 audio connectors 10 touch pad buttons 11 touch pad 12 media direct button 13 power button 14 dual digital microphones (optional) About Your Computer
CAMERA INDICATOR — Indicates that the camera is turned on. Based on configuration selections that you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a camera. CAMERA (OPTIONAL) — Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat. Based on configuration selections that you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a camera. DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on page 47.
FINGERPRINT READER ( O P T I O N A L ) — Helps to keep your Dell™ computer secure. When you slide your finger over the reader, it uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity. For information on how to activate and use the security management software that controls the biometric reader, see "Fingerprint Reader (Optional)" on page 82.
TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad" on page 45). D E L L ™ M E D I A D I R E C T ™ B U T T O N — Press the Dell MediaDirect button to launch Dell MediaDirect. For more information, see "Using Dell MediaDirect™" on page 61. POWER BUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power management mode (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 52).
Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To enable or disable wireless networking, use the wireless switch. For details, see "Right Side View" on page 26. Turns on when Bluetooth® Wireless Technology is enabled. NOTE: The light turns on only if you ordered Bluetooth Wireless Technology with your computer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your Bluetooth Wireless Technology.
AC A D A P T E R C O N N E C T O R — Attaches an AC adapter to the computer. The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned on or off. 1 1 AC adapter port 2 2 AC adapter connector CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power strips vary among countries.
NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45) NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. To avoid damaging the computer, do not plug a telephone line into the network connector. Connects the computer to a network. The two lights next to the connector indicate status and activity for wired network connections. For information on using the network adapter, see the device user’s guide supplied with your computer. USB CONNECTOR Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
E X P R E S S C A R D S L O T — Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see "Using ExpressCards" on page 65. OPTICAL DRIVE — For more information about the optical drive, see "Using Multimedia" on page 57. USB CONNECTOR Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. SECURITY CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer (see "Security Cable Lock" on page 81).
Back View 1 1 battery 2 2 air vents AIR VENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating. NOTE: The computer turns the fan on when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer. CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running.
Bottom View 1 2 3 5 4 1 battery 2 battery release latch 3 battery charge/health gauge 4 memory module/coin-cell battery compartment 5 wireless mini card compartment BATTERY — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet (see "Using a Battery" on page 49). BATTERY RELEASE LATCH — Releases the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 54 for instructions).
MEMORY MODULE/COIN-CELL BATTERY COMPARTMENT — Covers the compartment that contains the DIMM 1 and DIMM 2 memory modules and the coin-cell battery. For additional information, see "Adding and Replacing Parts" on page 121. WIRELESS MINI CARD COMPARTMENT — Compartment for WLAN, WWAN, or FCM Mini Cards (see "Wireless Mini-Cards" on page 138).
Setting Up Your Computer 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). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options: • DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line or cellular telephone service.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on page 92.
Transferring Information to a New Computer You can transfer the following types of data from one computer to another: • E-mail messages • Toolbar settings • Window sizes • Internet bookmarks Use one of the following methods for transferring data: • Microsoft® Windows® Easy Transfer wizard, an Easy Transfer Cable, and a USB port • Over a network • Removable media, such as a writable CD Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer 1 Click Start → All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ Windows Easy Transfer
Printer Cable Your printer connects to your computer using a USB cable. Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer and computer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer’s shipping box. Connecting a USB Printer NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.
3 Turn the printer on, and then turn the computer on. If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. 4 Click Start , and then click Network. 5 Click Add a printer to start the Add Printer Wizard. NOTE: To install the printer driver, see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 113 and the documentation that came with your printer. 6 Click Add a local printer or Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer. 7 Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard.
Line Conditioners NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions. Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level. Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in data loss or file damage. NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to a UPS. Connect other devices, such as a printer, to a separate power strip that provides surge protection.
Using the System Setup Program NOTE: Your operating system may automatically configure most of the options available in system setup, thus overriding options that you set through system setup. An exception is the External Hot Key option, which you can disable or enable only through system setup. For more information on configuring features for your operating system, see Windows Help and Support (click Start , and then click Help and Support).
Viewing the System Setup Screen 1 Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2 When the DELL logo appears, press immediately. If you wait too long and the Microsoft Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again. System Setup Screen NOTE: For information about a specific item on a system setup screen, highlight the item and see the Help area on the screen. On each screen, the system setup options are listed at the left.
• USB Storage Device • CD/DVD/CD-RW drive • Modular bay HDD NOTE: Only devices that are preceded by a number are bootable. During the boot routine, the computer starts at the top of the list and scans each enabled device for the operating system start-up files. When the computer finds the files, it stops searching and starts the operating system.
Cleaning Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. Computer, Keyboard, and Display CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and remove any installed batteries. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
Touch Pad 1 Shut down and turn off your computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 121). 2 Disconnect any attached devices from the computer and from their electrical outlets. 3 Remove any installed batteries (see "Battery Performance" on page 49). 4 Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water, and wipe it gently across the surface of the touch pad. Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest.
Cleaning an Optical Mouse Clean the outside casing of the mouse with a cloth moistened with a mild cleaning solution. Media NOTICE: Always use compressed air to clean the lens in the optical 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 media, try cleaning the discs. 1 Hold the disc by its outer edge. You can also touch the inside edge of the center hole.
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external keyboard. • To enable the keypad, press . The keypad is active. • To disable the keypad, press again. 9 light indicates that the Key Combinations System Functions Opens the Task Manager window.
Power Management Activates a power management mode. You can reprogram this keyboard shortcut to activate a different power management mode using the Advanced tab in the Power Options Properties window (see "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 52). Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions Windows logo key and Minimizes all open windows. Windows logo key and Restores all minimized windows.
Touch Pad The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you to move the cursor on the display. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse. 1 2 1 touch pad 2 silk screen depicting scrolling capabilities • To move the cursor, lightly slide your finger over the touch pad. • To select an object, lightly tap once on the surface of the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch pad button.
Customizing the Touch Pad You can use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad or adjust the touch pad settings. 1 Click Start , and then click Control Panel. 2 Click Hardware and Sound. 3 Click Mouse. 4 In the Mouse Properties window: • Click the Device Select tab to disable the touch pad. • Click the Touch Pad tab to adjust touch pad settings. 5 Click OK to save the settings and close the window.
Using the Display Adjusting Brightness When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power by setting the display brightness to the lowest comfortable level. • Press and the up-arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor). • Press and the down-arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor).
You can enhance the legibility of text and change the appearance of images on the screen by adjusting display resolution. As you increase resolution, items appear smaller on the screen. In contrast, lower resolution causes text and images to appear larger and can benefit people with vision impairments. To display a program at a specific resolution, both the video card and the display must support the program, and the necessary video drivers must be installed.
Using a Battery Battery Performance NOTE: For information about the Dell™ warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer. For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low. CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use batteries from other computers with your computer. CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste.
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon, and then click Help. Microsoft® Windows® Battery Meter The battery meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the battery meter, double-click the icon in the notification area.
Low-Battery Warning NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning, then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, Sleep state begins automatically. A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer enters Sleep state when the battery charge is at a critically low level.
Using the Sleep Power State Rather than shutting down your portable computer, use the Sleep power state to conserve power. Sleep automatically saves your work to your hard drive, and then returns you to your previous work session without restarting your computer. NOTICE: If your computer loses AC and battery power while in Sleep state, it may lose data. To enter Sleep state: • Click Start , click , and then click Sleep.
Replacing the Battery CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use batteries from other computers with your computer.
Storing a Battery Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully (see "Charging the Battery" on page 53) before you use it.
Using a Battery
Using Multimedia Playing Media NOTICE: Do not move the computer while playing media. 1 Press the eject button located above the keyboard on the center-control cover. 2 Slide the disc, label side up, in the drive opening. 1 1 drive opening To format media for storing or copying data, see the media software that came with your computer. NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when copying media.
A DVD drive includes the following basic buttons: Stop Restart the current chapter Play Fast forward Pause Fast reverse Advance a single frame while in pause mode Go to the next title or chapter Continuously play the current title or chapter Go to the previous title or chapter Eject For more information on playing media, click Help on the media player (if available). Copying CDs and DVDs This section applies only to computers that have a DVD+/-RW drive.
How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Roxio Creator. 1 Click Start → All Programs→ Roxio Creator→ Projects→ Copy. 2 Under the Copy tab, click Copy Disc. 3 To copy a CD or DVD: • If you have one optical drive, insert the source disc into the drive, ensure that the settings are correct, and then click the Copy Disc button to continue. The computer reads your source disc and copies the data to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive.
DVD-Writable Drives Media Type Read Write Rewritable CD-R Yes Yes No CD-RW Yes Yes Yes DVD+R Yes Yes No DVD-R Yes Yes No DVD+RW Yes Yes Yes DVD-RW Yes Yes Yes DVD+R DL Yes Yes No DVD-R DL Yes No No Helpful Tips • Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos. • Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed.
For more information on volume control options, click Help in the Volume Mixer window. The Volume Meter displays the current volume level, including mute, on your computer. Either click the QuickSet icon in the notification area and select or deselect Disable On Screen Volume Meter, or press the volume control buttons to enable or disable the Volume Meter on the screen.
1 1 Dell MediaDirect button NOTE: You cannot reinstall Dell MediaDirect if you voluntarily reformat the hard drive. You need the installation software to reinstall Dell MediaDirect. Contact Dell for assistance (see "Contacting Dell" on page 158). For more information on using Dell MediaDirect, use the Help menu in the Dell MediaDirect application.
1 Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI-output connector on your computer. See your Owners Manual for the location of the HDMI connector. 2 Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI-input connector on your HDMI TV. Enabling the Display Settings for a TV 1 Click Start , click Control Panel, and then click Appearance and Personalization. 2 Under Personalization click Adjust screen resolution. 3 Under Personalization, click Adjust Screen Resolution. The Display Properties window appears.
Enabling the Audio Settings for a TV 1 Click Start , click Control Panel, and then click Sound. 2 Under Sound, click the Playback tab. NOTE: The default playback device is indicated with a green check mark. 3 If the HDMI device is not the default device, select it, click the Set Default button, and then click OK. CAUTION: When you have finished using your computer with the HDMI-panel TV, repeat steps 1 and 2, and then set the default playback device back to Speakers/Headphones.
Using ExpressCards ExpressCards provide additional memory, multimedia, wired and wireless communications, and security features. For example, you can add an ExpressCard to make wireless wide area network (WWAN) connectivity available on your computer. ExpressCards support two form factors: • ExpressCard/34 (34 mm wide) • ExpressCard/54 (54 mm wide in an L-shape with a 34 mm connector) The 34 mm card fits into both the 34 mm and 54 mm card slots. The 54 mm card only fits into a 54 mm card slot.
Installing an ExpressCard You can install an ExpressCard while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card. ExpressCards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) or a label to indicate which end to insert into the slot. The cards are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion. If card orientation is not clear, see the documentation that came with the card.
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: When installing or removing an express card, please do not push express card and latch simultaneously. This action will damage express card reader. Press the card or blank into the slot to release it. Save a blank to use when no ExpressCard is installed in a slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles.
Using ExpressCards
Using the Memory Card Reader The memory card reader provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digital photos, music, and videos stored on a memory card. NOTE: A memory card reader is not a bootable device.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. To install a memory card: 1 Hold the card with the top side of the card facing up. 2 Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its connector. NOTE: If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and try again. The computer recognizes the memory card and automatically loads the appropriate device driver.
Setting Up and Using Networks Setting up a computer network provides connectivity between your computer and the Internet, another computer, or a network. For example, with a network set up in a home or small office you can print to a shared printer, access drives and files on another computer, browse other networks, or access the Internet. You can set up a local area network (LAN) using a network or broadband modem cable or set up a wireless LAN (WLAN).
Setting Up a Network 1 Click Start , and then click Connect To. 2 Click Set up a connection or network. 3 Select an option under Choose a connection option. 4 Click Next, and then follow the instructions in the wizard. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) A WLAN is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the air waves rather than through a network cable connected to each computer.
Device Manager 1 Click Start , and then click Control Panel. 2 Click Classic View on the menu on the left side of the Control Panel. 3 Double-click Device Manager. NOTE: The User Account Control window may open. 4 Click Continue on the User Account Control window if it opens. 5 Click the + next to Network adapters to list the utility that manages your wireless network card. If a network adapter is not listed, you may not have a wireless network card.
7 Disconnect the AC adapter cable from your wireless router to ensure that there is no power connected to the router. NOTE: Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after disconnecting your broadband modem before continuing with the network setup. 8 Insert a network cable into the network (RJ-45) connector on the unpowered broadband modem. 9 Connect the other end of the network cable into the Internet network (RJ-45) connector on the unpowered wireless router.
Connecting to a WLAN NOTE: Before you connect to a WLAN, ensure that you have followed the instructions in "Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)" on page 72. NOTE: The following networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Bluetooth® wireless technology or cellular products. This section provides general procedures for connecting to a network using wireless technology. Specific network names and configuration details vary.
Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell QuickSet The wireless activity indicator provides you with an easy way to monitor the status of your computer’s wireless devices. To turn the wireless activity indicator on or off, click the QuickSet icon in the taskbar and select Hotkey Popups. If Wireless Activity Indicator Off is not checked, the indicator is on. If Wireless Activity Indicator Off is checked, the indicator is off.
To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need: • A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or mini -card (depending on your computer’s configuration) NOTE: For instructions on using ExpressCards, see "Using ExpressCards" on page 65.
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network NOTE: These instructions only apply to Mobile Broadband ExpressCards or Mini Cards. They do not apply to internal cards with wireless technology. NOTE: Before you connect to the Internet, you must activate Mobile Broadband service through your cellular service provider.
If the switch is in the "on" position, move the switch to the "off" position to disable the switch and the Mobile Broadband card. If the switch is in the "off" position, move the switch to the "on" position to enable the switch and the Dell Mobile Broadband card. For information about the wireless switch positions, see "Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on page 79. To monitor the status of your wireless device, see "Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell QuickSet" on page 76.
Setting Up and Using Networks
Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock NOTE: Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock. A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the lock, attach it to the security cable slot on your Dell™ computer. For more information, see the instructions included with the device. NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your computer. Passwords Passwords prevent unauthorized access to your computer.
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines: • Choose a password that you can remember, but not one that is easy to guess. For example, do not use the names of family members or pets for passwords. • It is recommended that you do not write down your password. If you do write it down, however, ensure that the password is stored in a secure location. • Do not share your password with other people. • Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password.
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen • Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer. Include the Service Tag in your description of the computer. Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number, along with the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer. NOTE: If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area.
Securing Your Computer
Troubleshooting Dell Technical Update Service The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer. The service is free and can be customized for content, format, and how frequently you receive notifications. To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service, go to support.dell.com/technicalupdate.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive. NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 158). NOTE: If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions. 1 Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media 1 Insert your Drivers and Utilities media. 2 Shut down and restart the computer. 3 When the DELL logo appears, press immediately. NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release in even intervals until the boot device menu appears.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the option you want. NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer. Option Function Test Memory Run the stand-alone memory test Test System Run System Diagnostics Exit Exit the Diagnostics After you have selected the Test System option from the main menu, the following menu appears.
The following tabs provide additional information for tests run from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option: Tab Function Results Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered. Errors Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description. Help Describes the test and any requirements for running the test. Configuration Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
To access the Dell Support Utility: • Click the Dell Support icon NOTE: The in the notification area. icon functions vary when clicking, double-clicking, or right-clicking. or • Click the Start → All Programs→ Dell Support→ Dell Support Settings. Ensure that the Show icon on the taskbar option is checked. NOTE: If the Dell Support Utility is not available from the Start menu, go to support.dell.com and download the software.
Optical drive problems NOTE: High-speed optical drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in the drive or the media. NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives. Problems writing to a CD-RW or DVD+/-RW drive C L O S E O T H E R P R O G R A M S — CD-RW and DVD+/-RW drives must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs.
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: The modem is an optional feature on this computer. You can purchase an external modem through Dell. Therefore, the steps in this section only apply if you have purchased an external modem.
5 Click the COM port for your modem. 6 Click Properties, click the Diagnostics tab, and then click Query Modem to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows. If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly. E N S U R E T H A T Y O U A R E C O N N E C T E D T O T H E I N T E R N E T — Ensure that you have subscribed to an Internet service provider. With the Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File.
D A T A E R R O R — The hard drive cannot read the data (see "Drive Problems" on page 90). D E C R E A S I N G A V A I L A B L E M E M O R Y — One or more memory modules may be faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them (see "Memory" on page 131). D I S K C : F A I L E D I N I T I A L I Z A T I O N — The hard drive failed initialization. Run the hard drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 85).
Then, shut down the computer, reinstall the hard drive, and restart the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Run the Hard Disk Drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 85). H A R D - D I S K D R I V E F A I L U R E — The hard drive does not respond to commands from the computer. Shut down the computer, remove the hard drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 123), and boot the computer from a CD.
L I C E N S E D C O N T E N T I S N O T A C C E S S I B L E I N M E D I A D I R E C T — Dell MediaDirect™ cannot verify the Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions on the file, so the file cannot be played (see "Dell MediaDirect problems" on page 102). MEMORY ADDRESS LINE FAILURE AT ADDRESS, READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE — A memory module may be faulty or improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them (see "Memory" on page 131).
O P E R A T I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D — Reinstall the hard drive (see "Hard Drive" on page 123). If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 158). O P T I O N A L R O M B A D C H E C K S U M — The optional ROM has failed. Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 158). A R E Q U I R E D . D L L F I L E W A S N O T F O U N D — The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file. Remove and then reinstall the program. 1 Click Start → Control Panel.
T I M E - O F - D A Y N O T S E T - P L E A S E R U N T H E S YS T E M S E T U P P R O G R A M — The time or date stored in the system setup program does not match the system clock. Correct the settings for the Date and Time options (see "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 167). T I M E R C H I P C O U N T E R 2 F A I L E D — A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 85).
IEEE 1394 Device Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. E N S U R E T H A T T H E IEEE 1394 D E V I C E I S R E C O G N I Z E D B Y W I N D O W S — 1 Click Start Manager. → Control Panel→ System and Maintenance→ Device NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to continue the desired action.
CHECK THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD — 1 Shut down the computer, wait 1 minute, and then turn it on again. 2 Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink during the boot routine. 3 From the Windows desktop, click Start Accessories→ Notepad. → All Programs→ 4 Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display. If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external keyboard.
Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. The computer does not start C H E C K T H E A C A D A P T E R — Ensure that the AC adapter 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 Microsoft Windows operating system R U N T H E P R O G R A M C O M P A T I B I L I T Y W I Z A R D — Program compatibility is a mode in Windows that lets you run programs written for earlier versions of Windows. For more information, search for the keyword program compatibility wizard in Windows Help and Support.
Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION — • Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer. • Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information. • Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly. • Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.
Memory Problems Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 157 as you complete these checks. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. IF YOU RECEIVE AN INSUFFICIENT MEMORY MESSAGE — • Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem. • See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements.
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN]) NOTE: The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility user’s guide and the Mobile Broadband ExpressCard user’s guide are available through Windows Help and Support (click Start → Help and Support). You can also download the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility user’s guide from support.dell.com. NOTE: The icon appears in the notification area if the computer has a Dell WWAN device installed. Double-click the icon to launch the utility.
C H A R G E T H E B A T T E R Y — The battery charge may be depleted. 1 Reinstall the battery. 2 Use the AC adapter to connect the computer to an electrical outlet. 3 Turn on the computer. NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer.
Printer Problems Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 157 as you complete these checks. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer’s manufacturer. C H E C K T H E P R I N T E R D O C U M E N T A T I O N — See the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information.
RESTART THE COMPUTER AND TRY THE SCANNER AGAIN CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS — • See the scanner documentation for cable connection information. • Ensure that the scanner cables are securely connected to the scanner and the computer. VE R I F Y T H A T T H E S C A N N E R I S R E C O G N I Z E D B Y M I C R O S O F T W I N D O W S — Click Start → Control Panel→ Hardware and Sound→ Scanners and Cameras. If your scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner.
D I S C O N N E C T H E A D P H O N E S F R O M T H E H E A D P H O N E C O N N E C T O R — Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the headphone connector. TE S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. E L I M I N A T E P O S S I B L E I N T E R F E R E N C E — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.
3 Turn on the computer. 4 At the Windows desktop, use the touch pad to move the cursor around, select an icon, and open it. If the touch pad operates correctly, the mouse may be defective. C H E C K T H E S YS T E M S E T U P P R O G R A M S E T T I N G S — Verify that the system setup program lists the correct device for the pointing device option (the computer automatically recognizes a USB mouse without making any setting adjustments).
C O N N E C T T H E C O M P U T E R D I R E C T L Y T O A N E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and extension cables to verify that the computer turns on. A D J U S T T H E P O W E R P R O P E R T I E S — Search for the keyword sleep in Windows Help and Support. S W I T C H T H E V I D E O I M A G E — If your computer is attached to an external monitor, press to switch the video image to the display.
If only part of the display is readable CONNECT AN EXTERNAL MONITOR — 1 Shut down your computer and connect an external monitor to the computer. 2 Turn on the computer and the monitor, and then adjust the monitor brightness and contrast controls. If the external monitor works, the computer display or video controller may be defective. Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 158). Drivers What Is a Driver? A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard.
Identifying Drivers If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver. 1 Click Start , and then right-click Computer. 2 Click Properties, and then click Device Manager. NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to continue.
Using the Drivers and Utilities Media If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore (see "Restoring Your Operating System" on page 116) does not resolve the problem, reinstall the driver from your Drivers and Utilities media. 1 With the Windows desktop displayed, insert your Drivers and Utilities media. If this is your first time to use your Drivers and Utilities media, continue to step 2. If not, proceed to step 5.
Manually Reinstalling Drivers NOTE: If your computer has a Consumer IR port and you are reinstalling a Consumer IR driver, you must first enable the Consumer IR port in the system setup program (see "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 167) before continuing with the driver installation (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 113). For information about components installed on your computer, see "Determining Your Computer’s Configuration" on page 19.
Restoring Your Operating System You can restore your operating system in the following ways: • Microsoft Windows Vista 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. For instructions, see "Using Microsoft Windows System Restore" on page 116.
In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue, you may undo the last system restore. Undoing the Last System Restore NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete. 1 Click Start → Help and Support. 2 Type System Restore in the search field and press . 3 Click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next.
3 On the next screen that appears, click Restore. 4 Click Confirm. The restore process takes approximately 6–10 minutes to complete. 5 When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer. NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot. 6 When prompted, click Yes. The computer restarts.
NOTE: If the partition for PC Restore does not exist on your computer’s hard drive, a message appears stating that the partition was not found. Click Quit; there is no partition to delete. 4 Click OK to remove the PC Restore partition on the hard drive. 5 Click Yes to confirm. The PC Restore partition is deleted and the newly available disk space is added to the free space allocation on the hard drive.
Reinstalling Windows The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software. NOTICE: The Operating System media provides options for reinstalling Windows. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.
Adding and Replacing 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 121 and "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 122. • You have read the safety information in your Dell Product Information Guide.
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 in the Product Information Guide. 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.
5 Close the cover, turn the computer over, and place the computer on a flat surface. 6 Slide and click the battery release latch. 7 Slide the battery out of the battery bay. 1 2 1 battery 2 battery release latch 8 Turn the computer top-side up, open the display, and press the power button to ground the system board.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell. NOTE: If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell, you need to install an operating system, drivers, and utilities on the new hard drive (see "Restoring Your Operating System" on page 116 and "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 113). Removing the Hard Drive 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 121. 2 Turn the computer over.
Replacing the Hard Drive 1 Remove the new drive from its packaging. Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive. NOTICE: Use firm and even pressure to slide the drive into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the connector. 2 Slide the hard drive into the bay. 3 Replace and tighten the four screws on the hard drive. 4 Install the operating system for your computer, as needed (see "Restoring Your Operating System" on page 116).
Hinge Covers and Center Control Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.
1 2 1 center control cover 2 hinge cover (2) 5 Ease the center control cover up, and remove the cable that attaches it to the system board.
1 2 1 3 center control cover 2 center control cover cable 3 securing lever Replacing the Hinge Covers and Center Control Cover 1 Reconnect the cable that attaches the center control cover to the system board, and snap the center control cover in place. 2 Replace the hinge covers. 3 Turn the computer over and replace the two M2 x 3-mm screws that secure the center control cover to the computer base.
Keyboard For more information about the keyboard, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad" on page 43. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
1 2 3 4 5 1 M2 x 2-mm screw (2) 2 keyboard 3 keyboard tabs (5) 4 keyboard cable 5 plastic securing bar 5 Pull up on the plastic bar that secures the keyboard cable to the system board and remove the keyboard Replacing the Keyboard 1 Slide the keyboard connector into the slot until it clicks and pull down on the plastic bar that secures the keyboard connector to the system board. 2 Align the five tabs along the bottom of the keyboard and slide them under the palm rest.
Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. See "Specifications" on page 159 for information on the memory supported by your computer. Install only memory modules that are intended for your computer. NOTE: Memory modules purchased from Dell are covered under your computer warranty.
1 1 M2.5 x 5-mm screw 2 2 captive screws (3) NOTICE: To prevent damage to the memory module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory module securing clips. 3 Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the module pops up. 4 Remove the module from the connector.
1 1 securing clips (2) 2 2 memory module (DIMM 1) Replacing the DIMM 1 Memory Module NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 1 Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot. 2 Slide the module firmly into the slot at a 45-degree angle, and rotate the module down until it clicks into place.
1 2 1 tab 2 notch 3 Replace the module cover. 4 Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet. 5 Turn on the computer. As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information. To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer, click Start → Help and Support→ Dell System Information.
1 1 M2.5 x 5-mm screw 2 2 captive screws (3) NOTICE: To prevent damage to the memory module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory module securing clips. NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 3 Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the module pops up.
4 Remove the module from the connector. 1 1 securing clips (2) 2 2 memory module (DIMM 1) Replacing the DIMM 2 Memory Module NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 1 Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot.
1 2 1 tab 2 notch NOTICE: If the cover is difficult to close, remove the module and reinstall it. Forcing the cover to close may damage your computer. 3 Replace the module cover. 4 Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet. 5 Turn on the computer. As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information.
Subscriber Identity Module Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) identify users uniquely through an International Mobile Subscriber Identity. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: Only Cingular and Vodafone need a SIM. Verizon, Sprint, and Telus do not use SIMs. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 121.
Removing a WLAN Card 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 121. 2 Turn the computer over. 3 Loosen the captive screw on the cover of the mini-card compartment and remove the cover.
4 Disconnect the antenna cables from the WLAN card. 1 2 3 1 WLAN Card 2 M2 x 3-mm screw 3 antenna cable connectors (2) 5 Release the WLAN card by removing the screw. 6 Lift the WLAN card out of its system board connector.
Replacing a WLAN Card NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign the card. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the WLAN card, never place cables under the card. 1 Insert the WLAN card connector at a 45-degree angle into the system board connector labeled "WLAN". 2 Press the other end of the WLAN card down into the slot on the system board until the card clicks into place. 3 Replace the M2 x 3-mm screw.
3 Loosen the captive screw on the cover of the mini-card compartment and remove the cover. 1 1 captive screw 4 Disconnect the two antenna cables from the WWAN card.
5 Release the WWAN card by removing the screw. 6 Lift the WWAN card out of its system board connector. Replacing a WWAN Card NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign the card. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the WWAN card, never place cables under the card. 1 Insert the WWAN card connector at a 45-degree angle into the system board connector labeled "WWAN".
Flash Cache Module (FCM) The FCM is an internal memory card that helps improve the performance of your computer. The FCM card is also known as Intel Turbo Memory and the Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-card. NOTE: This card is only compatible with the Microsoft Windows Vista™ operating system. If you ordered an FCM card with your computer, the card is already installed. Removing the FCM 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 121.
Replacing the FCM NOTICE: Install the FCM in the WWAN or WPAN slot. Do not install an FCM in the WLAN card slot. Doing so may cause damage to your computer. 1 Insert the FCM connector at a 45-degree angle into the system board connector labeled "FCM". 2 Press the other end of the FCM down into the slot on the system board until the card clicks into place. 3 Replace the M2 x 3-mm screw.
1 1 card 3 cable 2 2 3 securing tabs (2) Replacing the Card 1 Replace the card at an angle to slide it under the securing tabs in the card compartment. 2 Connect the cable to the card. Coin-Cell Battery CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 121. 2 Turn the computer over. 3 Turn the computer over and loosen the three captive screws along with the M2.5 x 5-mm screw. Remove the module cover. 4 Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the system board. 1 1 coin-cell battery 2 2 cable connector 5 Slide the coin-cell battery from under the antenna cables and remove the battery from the computer.
Adding and Replacing Parts
Dell™ QuickSet NOTE: This feature may not be available on your computer. Dell QuickSet provides you with easy access to configure or view the following types of settings: • Network connectivity • Power management • Display • System information Depending on what you want to do in Dell QuickSet, you can start it by either clicking, double-clicking, or right-clicking the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft® Windows® notification area.
Dell™ QuickSet
Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer • Attach a name tag or business card to the computer. • Write down your Service Tag and store it in a safe place away from the computer or carrying case. Use the Service Tag if you need to report a loss or theft to law enforcement officials and to Dell. • Create a file on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop called if_found. Place information such as your name, address, and phone number in this file.
• Protect the computer, the batteries, and the hard drive from hazards such as extreme temperatures and overexposure to sunlight, dirt, dust, or liquids. • Pack the computer so that it does not slide around in the trunk of your car or in an overhead storage compartment. Travel Tips NOTICE: Do not move the computer while using the optical drive to prevent loss of data. NOTICE: Do not check the computer as baggage.
Getting Help Obtaining Assistance CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer cover, first disconnect the computer power and modem cables from all electrical outlets. If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem: 1 See "Troubleshooting" on page 85 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing. 2 See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 85 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics.
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 156, and then see "Contacting Dell" on page 158.
• Dell Marketing and Sales e-mail addresses apmarketing@dell.com (Asian/Pacific countries only) sales_canada@dell.com (Canada only) • Anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP) ftp.dell.com Log in as user: anonymous, and use your e-mail address as your password. AutoTech Service Dell's automated support service—AutoTech—provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers about their portable and desktop computers.
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Prepare all items being returned, whether for repair or credit, as follows: 1 Call Dell to obtain a Return Material Authorization Number, and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box. For the telephone number to call for your region, see "Contacting Dell" on page 158. 2 Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for the return.
Diagnostics Checklist Name: Date: Address: Phone number: Service Tag (bar code on the back or bottom of the computer): Express Service Code: Return Material Authorization Number (if provided by Dell support technician): Operating system and version: Devices: Expansion cards: Are you connected to a network? Yes No Network, version, and network adapter: Programs and versions: See your operating system documentation to determine the contents of the system’s start-up files.
Contacting Dell NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues: 1 Visit support.dell.com.
Specifications NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For more information regarding the configuration of your computer, click Start , click Help and Support, and then select the option to view information about your computer.
ExpressCard (continued) Cards supported ExpressCard/34 (34 mm) ExpressCard/54 (54 mm) 1.5 V and 3.
Ports and Connectors Audio microphone connector, stereo headphone/speakers connector IEEE 1394 4-pin serial connector Consumer IR sensor compatible with Philips RC6 (receive only) Mini-card three Type IIIA mini-card slots HDMI connector 19-pin Network adapter RJ-45 port USB two 4-pin USB 2.0-compliant connector Video 15-hole connector Communications Modem: Type External V.
Video (continued) Video type: discrete video card Data bus PCI Express X16 Video controller nVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS Video memory 128 MB GeForce 8400M GS LCD interface LVDS TV support HDMI mode Audio Audio type 5.
Display (continued) Operating angle 0° (closed) to 140° Luminance 250 min. 300 typ. cd/m² (LED 5 point avg) 200 min. 220 typ. cd/m² (CCFL 5 point avg) Viewing angles: Horizontal ±40° (CCFL) min. ±50° (LED) min. Vertical +15°/–30° (CCFL) min. +40°/-50° (LED) min. Pixel pitch: WXGA Controls 0.2235 mm brightness can be controlled through keyboard shortcuts (see "Adjusting Brightness" on page 47) Keyboard Number of keys 86/103 (U.S.
Battery Type 9-cell "smart" lithium ion 6-cell "smart" lithium ion Dimensions: Depth 67.6 mm (2.66 inches) (9 cell) 47.5 mm (1.87 inches) (6 cell) Height 20.4 mm (0.8 inch) Width 209.9 mm (8.26 inches) Weight 0.48 kg (1.06 lb) (9 cell) 0.33 kg (0.7 lb) (6 cell) Voltage 11.
AC Adapter Input voltage 100–240 VAC Input current (maximum) 1.5 A/1.6 A Input frequency 50–60 Hz Output current 65W 3.9 A (maximum at 4-second pulse) 3.34 A (continuous) 90W 5.62 A (maximum at 4-second pulse) 4.62 A (90 W) (continuous) Output power 65W or 90W Rated output voltage 19.5 +/– 1 VDC Dimensions: 65W Height 29.0 mm (1.14 in) Width 46.2 mm (1.83 in) Depth 107.0 mm (4.21 in) 90W Height 34.2 mm (1.35 in) Width 60.9 mm (2.39 in) Depth 153.42 mm (6.
Physical Height 44 mm (1.7 in) Width 394 mm (15.5 in) Depth 293 mm (11.3 in) Weight (with 6-cell battery): Configurable to less than 3.6 kg (8.0 lb) Environmental Temperature range: Operating 0° to 35°C (32° to 95°F) Storage –40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F) Relative humidity (maximum): Operating 10% to 90% (noncondensing) Storage 5% to 95% (noncondensing) Maximum vibration: 1 Operating 0.66 GRMS Storage Maximum shock: 1.
Appendix Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) Technician assisted technical support requires the cooperation and participation of the customer in the troubleshooting process and provides for restoration of the operating system, software programs, and hardware drivers to the original default configuration as shipped from Dell, as well as the verification of appropriate functionality of the computer and all Dell-installed hardware.
Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals Third-party software and peripherals include any peripheral, accessory, or software program sold by Dell not under the Dell brand (printers, scanners, cameras, games, etc). Support for all third-party software and peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer of the product. FCC Notice (U.S.
The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with the FCC regulations: Product name: Dell™ XPS™ M1330 Model number: PP25L Company name: Dell Inc. Worldwide Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Affairs One Dell Way Round Rock, TX 78682 USA 512-338-4400 Macrovision Product Notice This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights.
Appendix
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.
BIOS — basic input/output system — A program (or utility) that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. Unless you understand what effect these settings have on the computer, do not change them. Also referred to as system setup. bit — The smallest unit of data interpreted by your computer.
CD-R — CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over. CD-RW — CD rewritable — A rewritable version of a CD. Data can be written to a CD-RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten). CD-RW drive — A drive that can read CDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once.
device driver — See driver. DIMM — dual in-line memory module — A circuit board with memory chips that connects to a memory module on the system board. 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. disk striping — A technique for spreading data over multiple disk drives. Disk striping can speed up operations that retrieve data from disk storage.
DVD+RW drive — drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write to DVD+RW (rewritable DVDs) discs. DVI — digital video interface — A standard for digital transmission between a computer and a digital video display. E ECC — error checking and correction — A type of memory that includes special circuitry for testing the accuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory. ECP — extended capabilities port — A parallel connector design that provides improved bidirectional data transmission.
F Fahrenheit — A temperature measurement scale where 32° is the freezing point and 212° is the boiling point of water. FBD — fully-buffered DIMM — A DIMM with DDR2 DRAM chips and an Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) that speeds communication between the DDR2 SDRAM chips and the system. FCC — Federal Communications Commission — A U.S. agency responsible for enforcing communications-related regulations that state how much radiation computers and other electronic equipment can emit.
H hard drive — A drive that reads and writes data on a hard disk. The terms hard drive and hard disk are often used interchangeably. heat sink — A metal plate on some processors that helps dissipate heat. hibernate mode — A power management mode that saves everything in memory to a reserved space on the hard drive and then turns off the computer. When you restart the computer, the memory information that was saved to the hard drive is automatically restored.
I/O address — An address in RAM that is associated with a specific device (such as a serial connector, parallel connector, or expansion slot) and allows the processor to communicate with that device. IrDA — Infrared Data Association — The organization that creates international standards for infrared communications. IRQ — interrupt request — An electronic pathway assigned to a specific device so that the device can communicate with the processor. Each device connection must be assigned an IRQ.
M Mb — megabit — A measurement of memory chip capacity that equals 1024 Kb. Mbps — megabits per second — One million bits per second. This measurement is typically used for transmission speeds for networks and modems. MB — megabyte — A measurement of data storage that equals 1,048,576 bytes. 1 MB equals 1024 KB. When used to refer to hard drive storage, the term is often rounded to 1,000,000 bytes. MB/sec — megabytes per second — One million bytes per second.
modem — A device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers over analog telephone lines. Three types of modems include: external, PC Card, and internal. You typically use your modem to connect to the Internet and exchange e-mail. module bay — See media bay. MP — megapixel — A measure of image resolution used for digital cameras. ms — millisecond — A measure of time that equals one thousandth of a second. Access times of storage devices are often measured in ms.
PC Card — A removable I/O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard. Modems and network adapters are common types of PC Cards. PCI — peripheral component interconnect — PCI is a local bus that supports 32-and 64-bit data paths, providing a high-speed data path between the processor and devices such as video, drives, and networks. PCI Express — A modification to the PCI interface that boosts the data transfer rate between the processor and the devices attached to it.
RAM — random-access memory — The primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you shut down your computer. readme file — A text file included with a software package or hardware product. Typically, readme files provide installation information and describe new product enhancements or corrections that have not yet been documented. read-only — Data and/or files you can view but cannot edit or delete.
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 high-speed 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.
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.
U UAC — user account control— Microsoft Windows® Vista™ security feature that, when enabled, provides an added layer of security between user accounts and access to operating system settings. UMA — unified memory allocation — System memory dynamically allocated to video. UPS — uninterruptible power supply — A backup power source used when the electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level. A UPS keeps a computer running for a limited amount of time when there is no electrical power.
video resolution — See resolution. virus — A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on your computer. A virus program moves from one computer to another through an infected disk, software downloaded from the Internet, or e-mail attachments. When an infected program starts, its embedded virus also starts. A common type of virus is a boot virus, which is stored in the boot sectors of a floppy disk.
X XGA — extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1024 x 768. Z ZIF — zero insertion force — A type of socket or connector that allows a computer chip to be installed or removed with no stress applied to either the chip or its socket. Zip — A popular data compression format. Files that have been compressed with the Zip format are called Zip files and usually have a filename extension of .zip.
Glossary
Index Numbers C 8-in-1 memory card reader, 69 carnet, 152 A CD about, 58 CD-RW drive problems, 91 drive problems, 91 audio.
copying DVDs general information, 58 helpful tips, 60 how to, 59 D Dell contacting, 158 Dell Diagnostics about, 85 starting from the Drivers and Utilities media, 87 starting from your hard drive, 86 Dell MediaDirect about, 23 problems, 102 Dell support site, 16 DellConnect, 154 Device Driver Rollback, 113 device latch release description, 29 device status lights description, 23 diagnostics Dell, 85 display adjusting brightness, 47 adjusting the size of icons, 149 adjusting the size of toolbars, 149 descrip
ExpressCards, 65 blanks, 65, 67, 69 installing, 66 removing, 67 Internet connection about, 31 options, 31 setting up, 32 F K FCM.
memory (continued) installing, 131 removing, 132 memory card, 69 blanks, 70 installing, 69 reader, 22 removing, 70 types, 69 network connector description, 26 O operating system reinstalling Windows Vista, 116 memory card reader, 69 P memory module cover description, 30 PC Restore, 117 messages error, 93 Mini Card installing, 138 Mobile Broadband network connections, 76 problems, 104 See also wireless switch phone numbers, 158 power line conditioners, 35 problems, 105 protection devices, 35 surge pr
problems blue screen, 102 CD drive, 91 CD-RW drive, 91 computer crashes, 101-102 computer does not start up, 101 computer stops responding, 101 Dell Diagnostics, 85 Dell MediaDirect, 102 drives, 90 DVD drive, 91 error messages, 93 hard drive, 91 IEEE 1394 connector, 99 keyboard, 99 lockups, 101 network, 104 power, 105 power light conditions, 105 printer, 107 program crashes repeatedly, 101 program stops responding, 101 programs and Windows compatibility, 102 restore computer to previous operating state, 116
software problems, 102-103 software and hardware incompatibilities, 115 sound problems, 108 volume, 108 speakers problems, 108 volume, 108 specifications, 159 spyware, 93, 103 stolen computer, 83 Subscriber Identity Module, 138 support contacting Dell, 158 support website, 16 System Restore, 116 system setup program commonly used options, 38 screens, 38 viewing, 38 touch pad, 45 cleaning, 41 customizing, 46 touch pad buttons description, 22 track stick/touch pad buttons description, 23 transferring informa
video controller configuration determining what controller is installed, 19 wireless turning activity on and off, 149 volume adjusting, 108 wizards Program Compatibility wizard, 102 Windows Easy Transfer, 33 W WLAN, 139 installing Mini Card, 138 warranty information, 14 Windows Device Driver Rollback, 113 WWAN installing, 141 See Mobile Broadband Windows Easy Transfer wizard, 33 Windows Vista Program Compatibility wizard, 102 reinstalling, 116 System Restore, 116 Windows Easy Transfer wizard, 33 In
Index
