Dell Latitude PP27L User manual

www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ Precision™
Mobile Workstation M2400
Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Model PP27L

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.
© 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly
forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, Latitude, and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth
is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and is used by Dell under license; Intel and
Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries; Blu-ray Disc
is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association; Microsoft, Windows,Windows Vista, and Core are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
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.
Model PP27L
May 2008 P/N C106C Rev. A00

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Contents 3
Contents
1 About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Front and Right Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Back and Left Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Battery Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Wireless Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2 Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Quick Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Setting Up Your Internet Connection . . . . . . . . 18
Transferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . . 20
Microsoft Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Microsoft Windows Vista™ . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4 Reinstalling Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
What Is a Driver? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities . . . . . . . . . . 36

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4Contents
Restoring the Windows Vista® Operating System . . . 39
Using Windows Vista System Restore . . . . . . . 40
Restoring the Windows Vista Computer to the
Default Factory Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Using the Windows Vista Operating System
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Restoring the Windows XP Operating System . . . . . 44
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore
(Windows XP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Using Dell™ PC Restore (Windows XP) . . . . . . 46
Using the Windows XP Operating System
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
5 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems . . 51
Hardware Troubleshooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . 66
Video and Display Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Sound and Speaker Problems . . . . . . . . . . . 71

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Contents 5
6 Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
7 Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Obtaining Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Technical Support and Customer Service . . . . . 76
DellConnect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Automated Order-Status Service. . . . . . . . . . 77
Problems With Your Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Product Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . 78
Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
8 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
FCC Notice (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
FCC Class B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Macrovision Product Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

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6Contents

Template Last Updated - 2/7/2007 About Your Computer 7
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
1
About Your Computer
Front and Right Side View
9
6
10
3
8
11
18
21
22
23
26
4
12
15
16
2
1
13
7
5
20
14
17
1925 24

8About Your Computer
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1track stick 2left speaker
3keyboard 4device status lights
5ambient light sensor (ALS) 6keyboard status lights
7display 8microphone/camera
(optional)
9display latch 10 volume controls
11 Dell Control Point (DCP) 12 power button
13 USB ports (2) 14 WiFi Catcher™
15 wireless switch 16 audio connectors (2)
17 right speaker 18 optical drive
19 fingerprint swipe reader 20 ExpressCard slot
21 firewire (IEEE 1394a) port 22 contactless SmartCard reader
23 touch pad 24 Secure Digital (SD) memory
card reader
25 latch button 26 touch pad buttons

About Your Computer 9
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Back and Left Side View
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air
vents. Do not store your Dell computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a
closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the
computer or cause a fire.The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets
hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the
computer.
1RJ-11 port 2RJ-45 network port
3power, HDD indicators 4multimode DisplayPort
5AC adapter 6security cable slot
7VGA 8eSATA/PowerShare™ USB
port
9PowerShare™ USB port 10 SmartCard Reader
1
2
4567
9
10
8
3

10 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
Battery Removal
Remove the battery by sliding the battery tabs inward and moving the battery
away from the notebook. Install the battery by pushing the battery inward
until it clicks into place.

About Your Computer 11
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
Wireless Switch
1"off" position Disables wireless devices
2"on" position Enables wireless devices
3Wi-Fi Catcher Scans for WLAN networks
123

12 About Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY

Template Last Updated - 2/7/2007 Setting Up Your Computer 13
DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
2
Setting Up Your Computer
Quick Setup
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the
safety instructions in the safety information that shipped with your computer.
1 Unpack the accessories box if you have not done so already.
2 You will need the contents of the accessories box to complete the setup of
your computer.
The accessories box also contains user documentation and any software or
additional hardware (such as PC Cards, drives, or batteries) that you have
ordered.
3 Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter connector on the computer
and to the electrical outlet.
CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However,
power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible
cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet
may cause fire or equipment damage.
1power LED 2AC adapter cable
3AC adapter connector
2
2
1

14 Setting Up Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the
connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the
cable. When you wrap the AC adapter cable, ensure that you follow the angle of the
connector on the AC adapter to avoid damaging the cable.
4 (Optional). Connect the network cable (available at dell.com if required).
5 (Optional). Connect USB devices (such as a mouse).
1Network (ethernet) cable 2Network (ethernet)
connector
1USB cable 2USB connector
2
1
2
1

Setting Up Your Computer 15
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
6 (Optional). Connect headphones and/or a microphone.
7 (Optional). Connect a 1394 (4-pin firewire) device. (diagram to be
replaced with correct 4-pin 1394a connector.
8 (Optional). Connect an eSATA device. ( diagram to be added)
9 (Optional). Connect a Dell external media module. ( diagram to be added)
1Headphone or microphone
cable
Attach headphones to the
connector.
2Headphone or microphone
connector
Attach a microphone to the
connector.
11394 cable 21394 connector
2
1
2
1

16 Setting Up Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
10 Open the computer display and press the power button to turn on the
computer.
NOTE: It is recommended that you turn on and shut down your computer at least
once before you install any cards or connect the computer to a docking device or
other external device, such as a printer.
11 (Optional). If your computer is equipped with a backlit keyboard, turn it
on by pressing the <Fn> and left-arrow key combination.
12 (Optional). The ambient light sensor (ALS) is located on the bottom of
the computer display panel. The ALS senses the light levels in the area and
automatically adjusts the screen brightness to match. Only the internal
display is adjusted, not any monitor or projector that may be connected to
the system. If the sensor window is blocked, it does not work correctly. You
can enable or disable the ambient light sensor by pressing the <Fn> and
left-arrow key combination.
13 (Optional). Using the Dell™ ControlPoint (DCP). Activate DCP by
pressing the DCP button just left of the power button. The Dell
ControlPoint icon appears on the taskbar. Click the icon to access Dell

Setting Up Your Computer 17
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
ControlPoint Help and additional features and options. For more
information about DCP, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer
or at support.dell.com.
14 (Optional). (For discussion) . How to implement all-day battery capability.
15 (Optional). Connect to the Internet. See "Connecting to the Internet" on
page 17 for more information.
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:
1 Internet service 2 cable or DSL modem
3 wireless router 4 desktop computer with network
adapter
5 portable computer with wireless
network card
1
2
3
5
4

18 Setting Up Your Computer
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DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 2/14/08 - FOR PROOF ONLY
• 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, cable, and satellite
modem connections.
• Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) or Mobile Broadband technology
provides a connection to the Internet using cellular technology at
broadband rates.
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connections use high-frequency
radio waves to communicate. Typically, a wireless router is connected to
the broadband cable or DSL modem that broadcasts the Internet signal to
your computer.
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem
connector on your computer and to the telephone wall connector before you
set up your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL, cable, or satellite
modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular telephone service for setup
instructions.
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.
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 that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using.
NOTE: If you are using an operating system different from Microsoft Windows, see
the documentation for that operating system for connecting to the Internet.

Setting Up Your Computer 19
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Windows XP
®
NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to
the Internet wizard can help you get one.
1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2 Click Start → Internet Explorer .
The
New Connection Wizard appears.
3 Click Connect to the Internet .
4 In the next window, click the appropriate option:
• If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click
Choose from a
list of Internet service providers (ISPs)
.
• If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you
did not receive a setup CD, click
Set up my connection manually .
• If you have a CD, click
Use the CD I got from an ISP .
5 Click Next .
If you selected
Set up my connection manually , continue to step 6.
Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP.
6 Click the appropriate option under How do you want to connect to the
Internet?
, and then click Next .
7 Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
Windows Vista
®
NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to
the Internet wizard can help you get one.
1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2 Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click Control Panel
3 Under Network and Internet, click Connect to the Internet .
The
Connect to the Internet window appears.
4 Click either Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up , depending on how you want
to connect:

20 Setting Up Your Computer
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• Choose Broadband if you will use a DSL, satellite modem, cable TV
modem, or Bluetooth wireless technology connection.
•Chose
Dial-up if you will use a 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.
5 Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information
provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
Transferring Information to a New Computer
You can use your operating system "wizards" to help you transfer files and
other data from one computer to another—for example, from an old
computer to a new computer. For instructions, see the following section that
corresponds to the operating system that your computer is running.
NOTE: If you are using an operating system different from Microsoft Windows, see
the documentation for that operating system for transferring information to a new
computer.
Microsoft Windows XP
The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides the Files and Settings
Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer.
You can transfer data, such as:
• E-mail messages
• Toolbar settings
•Windowsizes
• Internet bookmarks
You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial
connection, or you can store it on removable media, such as a writable CD,
for transfer to the new computer.
NOTE: You can transfer information from an old computer to a new computer by
directly connecting a serial cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two
computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you must access the Network
Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration
steps, such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host
computer and the guest computer.