Alienware Area-51 m5500 User manual

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Notice
The information in this user’s manual is subject to change without notice.
THE MANUFACTURER OR RESELLER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR
OMISSIONS CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE PERFORMANCE
OR USE OF THIS MANUAL.
The information in this user’s manual is protected by copyright laws. No part of this
manual may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without prior written authorization
from the copyright owners.
Copyright 10/2005
All rights reserved.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. DOS and
Windows 95/98/ME/2000/NT/XP/VISTA are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
their respective owners/companies.
The software described in this manual is delivered under a license agreement. The
software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S.
patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this copyright protection
technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other
limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse
engineering or disassembly is prohibited.
Rev 1.0

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
Symbols and Conventions
Protecting Your Computer - Avoid Abusive Handling and Adverse
Environment
Chapter Summaries
1. GETTING TO KNOW THE BASICS
Performance Features (1-2,3)
System at a Glance (1-4)
Top View (1-4,5,6,7)
Front and Rear Views (1-8,9)
Side Views (1-10,11)
Bottom View (1-12,13)
AC Adapter (1-14)
LED Status Indicators (1-15)
Keyboard Features (1-16)
Function (Quick) Keys (1-16)
Windows Keys (1-17)
Embedded Numeric Keypad (1-17)
Touchpad (1-18)
Graphics Subsystem (1-19)
Adjusting the Display Brightness (1-19)
Extending the Life of the TFT Display Panel (1-19)
Opening and Closing the Display Panel (1-20)
Audio Subsystem (1-21)
Adjusting the Volume in Windows (1-21)
Voice Recording (1-21)
Modem and Modem Settings (1-22)
Ethernet Adapter (1-23)
2. BIOS SETUP AND SECURITY
Entering the BIOS Setup Screen (2-3)
Leaving the BIOS Setup Screen (2-3)
BIOS Action Keys (2-3)

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Modifying the BIOS Settings (2-4)
Main Setup (2-4)
Advance Setup (2-4,5)
Security Setup (2-5,6)
Power Setup (2-6,7)
Boot Setup (2-7,8)
Exit Setup (2-8)
3. BATTERY POWER & POWER MANAGEMENT
The Battery Pack (3-2)
Lithium-Ion Battery Technology (3-2)
Battery Low-Power Warning (3-3)
Installing and Removing the Battery Pack (3-4,5)
Charging the Battery and Charging Time (3-5)
Checking the Battery Level (3-6)
Prolonging the Battery’s Life and Usage Cycles (3-6)
Using Windows Power Options (3-7)
Windows’ Power Schemes (3-7,8)
Suspend Modes (3-9,10)
Power Button Action (3-11)
Low Battery Warning (3-12)
Power Manual Quick Access (3-13)
4. UPGRADING YOUR COMPUTER
Upgrading the Hard Disk Drive (4-2,3,4,5)
Upgrading the System Memory (4-6,7,8,9,10)
Installing a Mini PCI Card to the System (4-11,12,13)
5. TROUBLE-SHOOTING2
First Step (5-2,3)
Audio Problems (5-4)
Hard Disk Problems (5-5,6)
Optical Drive Problems (5-7)
Display Problems (5-8)
Keyboard and Mouse Problems (5-9)
CMOS Battery Problems (5-10)
Memory Problems (5-11)

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Modem Problems (5-12)
Network Adapter/Ethernet Problems (5-13)
PC Card/PCMCIA Problems (5-14)
Performance Problems (5-15)
Firewire (IEEE1394) and USB2.0 Problems (5-16)
APPENDIX A Product Specification
APPENDIX B Agency Regulatory Notices

Preface
Using This Manual
This user’s manual contains general information about the hardware
and software setup, troubleshooting, and technical specifications of
the notebook computer.
Symbols and Conventions
The following conventions and symbols are used in this manual:
When keys are to be pressed at the same time, a plus (+)
symbol is used. For instance, Fn+F7 means holding Fn and F7
keys at the same time.
When a series of clicking actions is needed in a Windows O/S,
the [ ] and > symbols are used. For instance, [Start > Settings >
Control Panel > Display] means clicking the Start icon first, then
the Settings, then the Control Panel, then the Display icon.
When you need to make a selection with the touchpad (or
mouse), you will be asked to ’select’, ‘click’, ‘double-click’, or
‘right-click’ the item.
Note: Text in this format and symbol indicates specific instructions, commentary,
sidelights, or any additional information or notes that you should be aware of.
Warning: Text in this format and symbol means that failure to comply with the given
instructions or information could result in damage to your computer or could cause bodily
harm or loss of life.
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Protecting Your Computer - Avoid Abusive Handling and
Adverse Environment
Following the advice below will help ensure that you get the most out of
your investment.
Your computer will serve you well if you take good care of it:
Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight or place it near
sources of heat.
Do not subject it to temperatures below 0oC (32oF) or above
30oC (86oF).
Do not expose the computer to magnetic fields.
Do not expose the computer to moisture or rain.
Do not spill water or liquid on the computer.
Do not subject the computer to adverse shock and vibration.
Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt.
Do not place objects on top of the computer in order to avoid
damaging the computer.
Do not place the computer on rocky surfaces.
Here are some ways of taking care of your AC adapter.
Do not connect the adapter to any devices other than your
computer.
Do not let water get into the adapter.
Do not block the ventilation airway of the adapter.
Keep the adapter in a cool and ventilated place.
Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it.
Carefully tuck away the power cord and any cables away from
pedestrian traffic.
When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself;
pull on the plug instead.
Keep the adapter away from children.

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The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not
exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension
cord.
The total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single
wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating.
Do not connect another AC adapter to your notebook. This
notebook uses exclusively the AC adapter: Lishin 0202A2090 (90W),
Liteon PA-1900-05 (90W),
When cleaning the computer, observe these steps:
1. Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.
2. Disconnect the AC adapter.
3. Use a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or
aerosol cleaners.
Contact tech support or see your service technician if any of the
following occurs:
The computer has been dropped or the body has been
damaged.
Liquid has been spilled into the product.
The computer does not operate normally.
Cleaning the Ventilation Grills:
It is suggested that you clean the ventilation grills regularly to maintain
optimal thermal regulation of the notebook. To do this, you may use a
soft brush or a vacuum cleaner (with appropriate head adapter) to
remove the dust buildup on the ventilation grills.

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Chapter Summaries
The following is a summary of the available chapters and appendices
in this manual.
Chapter 1: Getting to Know the Basics
In this chapter, you will learn the basic operations and features of your
computer. It gives you a general understanding of the components of
your computer.
Chapter 2: BIOS Setup / Security
In this chapter, you will learn how to change various firmware settings
and what the settings mean. Also, you will learn how to take
advantage of the built-in security feature provided by the BIOS.
Chapter 3: Battery Power & Power Management
In this chapter, you will learn the fundamentals of power management
and how to use them to achieve longer battery life.
Chapter 4: Upgrading Your Computer
In this chapter, you will learn how to upgrade the system memory and
the hard disk drive, as well as how to install a wireless mini PCI card.
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting
In this chapter, you will learn how to solve common hardware and
software problems.
Appendix A: Product Specification
In this section, you will find a list of the computer’s system
specifications.
Appendix B: Agency Regulatory Notices
In this section, you will find the general electro-magnetic and safety
regulatory information.

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CHAPTER ONE
GETTING TO KNOW THE BASICS
This chapter introduces the features and components of the computer.

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Performance Features
High-Performance Processor with Alviso Chipset
The notebook PC is equipped with a powerful Mobile Intel Pentium
M or Celeron M processor. Together with the latest Alviso chipset
and technologies, the system offers advanced PC performance.
Unique Dual Graphic Boot Feature
The system has two graphics engines built-in. A switch allows you
to choose either the external MXM graphics engine or the
integrated Intel GMA900 Extreme3 graphics engine. This unique
feature gives you the flexibility to select the graphics engine that is
best-suited for your needs – higher performance or lower battery
consumption. Both graphic engines are DirectX 9 compatible.
LCD Display
The computer is equipped with a wide 15.4” TFT high-resolution
display panel for clear text and brilliant colors.
Expandability
The system offers an upgradeable hard disk drive and 2 DDR
SDRAM sockets for expansion, allowing you to easily increase the
storage and system capacities as the need arises.
Built-in Multiple Card Reader
The built-in 4-in-1 card reader lets you access many portable
media formats (SD Card, MMC Card, MS Card, and MS Pro Card).
Ethernet Port
The system provides a built-in 10/100Mbps or 10/100/1000Mbps
Ethernet network adapter for high-bandwidth network connection.
Firewire (IEEE1394/1394a) and USB2.0 ports
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IEEE1394 for ultra high-speed connection to high-bandwidth
digital video devices and USB2.0 ports to connect to any
USB-based peripheral devices.
Wireless LAN
The internal wireless LAN module allows your notebook to connect
wirelessly to other 802.11-enabled systems, devices, or networks.
Internal USB Slot for Integrated USB Devices (Optional)
The optional USB Bluetooth module or USB thumb drive gives you
added function with the notebook.

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System At A Glance
Top View
1. LCD Latch
The LCD latches lock / unlock the LCD panel.
2. Built-in Microphone
The built-in microphone records sound.
3. LCD Display
This panel is where the system content is displayed. The LCD
panel has a maximum opening of 135 degrees. Do not push it
down forcibly.
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4. Built-in Stereo Speakers
The built-in speakers output the sound in stereo.
5. Keyboard
The keyboard is used to enter data. It has an embedded numeric
keypad and cursor control keys. (See Keyboard Section for
details.)
6. Touchpad
The touchpad is a built-in pointing device with functions similar to
a mouse.
7. LED Status Indicator
The LED Status indicators reveal the status of these functions:
Numeric keypad, cap lock, scroll lock, WLAN module enabling
and disabling, and also the ODD/HDD activities. (See the LED
Status Indicator Section for details.) The LED Status indicators
also reveal the status of the system power state and
battery-charging state. See the LED Status Indicator Section for
details.
8. Power/Suspend Button
The power/suspend button turns the notebook on and off and
also acts as a system suspend key. Press it momentarily to turn
on the system. Press and hold it for at least 4 seconds to turn off
the system. How this key behaves can be defined in the [Start >
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Settings > Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced] menu.
Press the power / suspend button again to return from the
suspend mode. (See Chapter 3 for more details on system
suspend function.)
Note: When the system power is initially turned on, the Scroll-lock, Cap-lock,
and Numeric keypad LED indicators will light up momentarily to indicate the
start of the Power-On sequence.
9. Wireless On/Off Button
Press the switch to disable or enable the wireless function. If the
WLAN function is enabled, the WLAN LED turns green;
otherwise, the WLAN LED is dark.
10. Instant-On Multimedia Player Launch Key
When the system is powered off, pressing the key launches a
multimedia application that allows you to watch movies files,
listen to music, or view photos in the optical drive or hard disk
drive without having to boot to Windows.
Note: The way the Instant-On software works is that when the quick key is pressed
(when the system is in Power-Off mode), the system boots to a Linux-based O/S and
media player application.
11. Internet Explorer Quick Key
Pressing the button launches Internet Explorer in Windows.
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Front and Rear View
Warning: Do not place any heavy objects on top of the notebook. This may
damage the display.
1. E x te r na l VG A Po r t
The 15-pin VGA analog port is for connecting the external CRT
monitor or projector.
2. Battery Pack
The battery pack is a built-in power source for the notebook.
3. Kensington Lock Key Hole
A Kensington-type security lock latches to this keyhole for
anti-theft purposes.
4. 4-in-1 Card Reader
The 4-in-1 card reader supports SD cards, MS cards, MMC
cards, and MS-Pro cards.
5. Microphone Jack
The microphone jack (3.5-mm diameter) is where you connect a
microphone.
6. Audio Line-in Jack
The audio line-in jack (3.5-mm diameter) is where you connect
an external audio input source such as a CD player.
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7. Stereo Headphone/SPDIF-out Jack
The stereo headphone jack (3.5-mm diameter) is where you
connect the headphones or external speakers. Alternatively, you
may connect the SPDIF output to an external DTS, AC3, or PCM
sound processor/decoder in your home stereo system.
8. External VGA On/Off Switch
You must make the selection before you turn on the notebook. If
you leave the switch in the ON position, the computer will boot to
the external graphic engine (NVIDIA GeForce Go 6600, which
has higher performance and higher power consumption). If you
leave the switch in the OFF position, the computer will boot to the
integrated graphics engine (Intel GMA900 Extreme3, which has
lower performance and lower power consumption).
Side Views
Warning: Do not place any heavy objects on top of the notebook. This may
damage the display.
1. Ethernet/LAN Port
The port connects to a network hub via the RJ-45 cable and also
conforms to 10/100Base-TX transmission protocol.
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2. Modem Port
This is where you plug the phone jack (RJ-11) for fax/modem
functions.
3. Optical Drive and Disk Eject Button and Manual Eject Key
Hole
If your computer comes with the combo drive, DVD-RW,
DVD+RW, or DVD-Dual drive, you may save data onto a
CD-R/CD-RW or DVD RW disc. Press the eject button to eject
the disk tray. The manual eject keyhole allows you to manually
eject a jammed disk.
4. PC Card Slot (Type II PCMCIA) and Card Eject Button
The slot is where the PC card (Type II PCMCIA) is inserted.
Press the eject button to release the PC card.
5. Ventilation Grill
The fan grill is where air is exchanged to dissipate the internal
heat. Do not block this airway completely.
6. Firewire/IEEE1394 / 1394a Port
This is a high-speed serial data port. You may connect any
Firewire-ready device to this port.
7. USB2.0 Port (x3)
The Universal Serial Bus (USB2.0-compliant) port allows you to
connect a wide variety of devices to your computer at a rate of up
to 480 Mbps. This port conforms to the latest USB2.0
plug-and-play standards.
8. Power Jack (DC-in)
The DC-out jack of the AC adapter connects here and powers
the computer.
9. TV (S-Video) Port
The S-Video port permits you to redirect the screen output to a
television set or any analog video playback device. This TV port
is copyright protected; when a DVD movie is played, the output is
scrambled to prevent analog recording.

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Bottom View
1. Battery Pack and Battery Latch
The battery pack is a built-in power source for the notebook.
Slide the battery latch to release the battery pack.
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