Dell 540s - Studio Slim Desktop Pc User manual

SETUP GUIDE

SETUP GUIDE
Model DCSLA
Studio Slim

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.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft®Windows®operating systems
are not applicable.
__________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text:
Dell , the DELL logo, YOURS IS HERE , and DellConnect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel ,
Pentium , and Celeron are registered trademarks and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other
countries;
Microsoft , Windows , Windows Vista, and Windows Vista start button are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries;
Realtek is a trademark of Realtek
Semiconductor Corporation;
Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association; Bluetooth is a registered
trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and
names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
July 2008 P/N GN033 Rev. A00

3
Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s . . . . . . . . .5
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . 5
Connect a Video Cable to the Computer . . . . 6
Connect the Video Cable to the Display . . . . 7
Connect the Keyboard and Mouse. . . . . . . . . 8
Connect the Network Cable (Optional) . . . . . 9
Connect the Power Cables for Your
Display and Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Press the Power Buttons on Your
Computer and Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Windows Vista®Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . . . 11
Using Your Studio Slim 540s . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Front View Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Using the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Back View Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Back Panel Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . 25
Using Support Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Hardware Troubleshooter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Contents

4
Contents
System Recovery Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Operating System Reinstallation . . . . . . . . . 36
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Technical Support and Customer
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
DellConnect™. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
AutoTech Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Returning Items for Repair Under
Warranty or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Finding More Information and
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Macrovision Product Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

5
Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
This section provides information about setting
up your Studio Slim 540s and connecting
peripherals.
Before Setting Up Your Computer
When positioning your computer, ensure that
you allow easy access to a power source,
adequate ventilation, and a level surface to
place your computer.
Restricting airflow around your Studio Slim
540s may cause it to overheat. To prevent
overheating ensure that you leave at least
10.2 cm (4 inches) at the back of the computer
and a minimum of 5.1 cm (2 inches) on all other
sides. You should never put your computer in an
enclosed space, such as a cabinet or drawer
when it is powered on.

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Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
Connect a Video Cable to the
Computer
Your computer uses one of two different
connectors for the display. The HDMI
connector is a high-performance digital
connector that carries both video and
audio signals for displays such as TVs
and monitors with integrated speakers.
The VGA connector carries only video
signals for displays such as monitors
and projectors.
NOTE: A DVI connector may be available on
your computer if you purchased an optional
discrete graphics card.
-OR-

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Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
Connect the Video Cable to the
Display
Check your TV or monitor to see which type
of connectors are available. Refer to the
following table when identifying the connectors
on your display to select the connection type
you will use.
HDMI
VGA
DVI
You can connect to the display using the
following connectors available on your
computer: the VGA connector, the HDMI
connector, or the DVI connector (optional).
Connect Using the VGA Connector
If your display has a VGA connector, use a VGA
cable (with blue connectors at both ends).
If your display has a DVI connector, use the VGA
cable (with blue connectors at both ends) with a
VGA-to-DVI adapter (white plug).
NOTE: You can purchase a VGA-to-DVI
adapter from the Dell website at dell.com.

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Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
Connect Using the HDMI Connector
Connect the display using an HDMI cable.
Connect Using a DVI Connector (Optional)
Connect the display using a DVI cable.
NOTE: You can purchase additional HDMI
and DVI cables from the Dell website at
dell.com.
Connect the Keyboard and Mouse
Connect your keyboard and mouse to the USB
connectors on the back panel of the computer.

9
Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
Connect the Network Cable
(Optional)
A network connection is not required to
complete your computer setup, but if you have
an existing network or Internet connection
that uses a cable connection (such as a
home cable modem or Ethernet jack), you can
connect it now. Use only an Ethernet cable
(RJ45 connector). Do not plug a telephone cable
(RJ11 connector) into the network connector.
To attach your computer to a network or
broadband device, connect one end of a
network cable to either a network port or a
broadband device. Connect the other end of the
network cable to the network adapter connector
on the back panel of your computer. A click
indicates that the network cable has been
securely attached.

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Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
Connect the Power Cables for
Your Display and Computer
Press the Power Buttons on Your
Computer and Display

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Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
Windows Vista®Setup
To set up Windows Vista for the first time, follow
the instructions on the screen. These steps are
mandatory and may take up to 15 minutes to
complete. The screens will take you through
several procedures including accepting license
agreements, setting preferences, and setting up
an Internet connection.
NOTICE: Do not interrupt the operating
system’s setup process. Doing so may
render your computer unusable.
Connect to the Internet (Optional)
NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by
country.
To connect to the Internet, you need an external
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.
With a DSL connection, you can access the
Internet and use your telephone on the same
line simultaneously.
Cable modem connections that provide•
high-speed Internet access through your
local cable TV line.
Satellite modem connections that provide•
high-speed Internet access through a
satellite television system.
Dial-• up connections that provide Internet
access through a telephone line. Dial-up
connections are considerably slower
than DSL and cable (or satellite) modem
connections. Your computer does not have
an integrated modem. An optional USB
modem must be used for dialup service with
your computer.

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Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
Wireless LAN• connections that provide
Internet access using WiFi 802.11
technology. Wireless LAN support requires
optional internal components that may or
may not be installed in your computer based
on decisions made at the time of purchase.
NOTE: If an external USB modem or
WLAN adapter is not part of your original
order, you can purchase one from the Dell
website at dell.com.
Setting Up a Wired Internet Connection
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect
the telephone line to the external USB modem
(optional) and to the telephone wall jack before
you set up your Internet connection. If you
are using a DSL or cable/satellite modem
connection, contact your ISP or cellular
telephone service for setup instructions.
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
Before you can use your wireless Internet
connection, you need to connect to your
wireless router. To set up your connection to
a wireless router:
Save and close any open files, and exit any1.
open programs.
Click2. Start →Connect To.
Follow the instructions on the screen to3.
complete the setup.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an Internet connection with a provided
ISP desktop shortcut:
Save and close any open files, and exit any1.
open programs.
Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft2. ®
Windows®desktop.
Follow the instructions on the screen to3.
complete the setup.
If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop
or if you want to set up an Internet connection
with a different ISP, perform the steps in the
following section.

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Setting Up Your Studio Slim 540s
NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet
but have successfully connected in the
past, the ISP might have a service outage.
Contact your ISP to check the service
status, or try connecting again later.
NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If
you do not have an ISP, the Connect to the
Internet wizard can help you get one.
Save and close any open files, and exit any1.
open programs.
Click2. Start →Control Panel.
Under3. Network and Internet, click Connect
to the Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
Click either4. Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up,
depending on how you want to connect:
Choosea. Broadband if you will use a
DSL, satellite modem, cable TV modem,
or Bluetooth®wireless technology
connection.
Choseb. Dial-up if you will use an optional
USB dial-up modem or ISDN.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, click Help me choose
or contact your ISP.
Follow the instructions on the screen and5.
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.

14
Your computer has indicators, buttons, and
features that provide information at-a-glance and
time-saving shortcuts for common tasks.
Front View Features
1Service Tag — Use the Service Tag
(located on top of the chassis towards the
back) to identify your computer when you
access the Dell Support website or call
technical support.
2Eject button for Optical drive — Press
here to open/close the CD/DVD/Blu-ray
Disc™ drive.
3Optical drive panel — This panel covers
the CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc drive.
4FlexDock open/close — Press here to
open/close the FlexDock.
5FlexDock (optional) — Can contain an
optional Media Card Reader.
Using Your Studio Slim 540s
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Using Your Studio Slim 540s
6Power button and light — Turns the
power on or off when pressed. The light
in the center of this button indicates the
power state:
Blinking white — the computer is in•
sleep state.
Solid white — the computer is in•
power-on state.
Blinking amber — there may be a•
problem with the system board.
Solid amber — the system board•
cannot start initialization. There may be
a problem with either the system board
or power supply.
7USB 2.0 connectors (2) — Connects
USB devices that are connected
occasionally, such as memory keys, digital
cameras, and MP3 players.
8Headphone connector — Connects
to headphones.
NOTE: To connect to a powered
speaker or sound system, use the
audio out or S/PDIF connector on the
back of your computer.
9Microphone or line-in connector —
Connects to a microphone for voice or to
an audio cable for audio input.
10 Hard drive activity light — Turns on
when the computer reads or writes data.
A blinking blue light indicates hard drive
activity.
NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never
turn off the computer while the hard
drive activity light is blinking.

16
Using Your Studio Slim 540s
Using the Optical Drive
Place the disc in the center of the disc tray, with
the label facing outwards and gently push the
disc tray.
The drive automatically pulls the disc in and
begins reading its content.
To eject a disc from the drive, press the eject
button. A few seconds later the disc ejects.

17
Using Your Studio Slim 540s
Back View Features
1Back panel connectors — Plug
USB, audio, and other devices into
the appropriate connector. For more
information, see “Back Panel Connectors”
on page 18.
2Card slots — Access connectors for any
installed PCI and PCI Express cards.
3Power supply LED — Indicates power
availability for the power supply.
NOTE: May or may not be available on
your computer.
4Power connector — Insert the power
cable.
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Using Your Studio Slim 540s
Back Panel Connectors
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1IEEE 1394 — Connects to high-speed
serial multimedia devices such as digital
video cameras.
2Network connector and light —
Connects your computer to a network
or broadband device. The network
activity light flashes when the computer
is transmitting or receiving data. A high
volume of network traffic may make this
light appear to be in a steady “on” state.
3Back L/R surround —
Connects to multichannel-capable
speakers.
4Center/subwoofer — Connects to a
subwoofer.
5Line-in — Connects to a microphone
for voice or audio input into a sound or
telephony program. On computers with a
sound card, use the connector on the card.