Dell Inspiron 1012 User manual

SETUP GUIDE
INSPIRON™

SETUP GUIDE
Regulatory Model P04T series Regulatory Type P04T001
INSPIRON™

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your
computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells
you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING 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.
© 2009 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, Inspiron , YOURS IS HERE, Dell On Call, and DellConnect are trademarks
of Dell Inc.; Intel is a registered trademark and Atom is the trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries;
Microsoft and Windows are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries; Ubuntu is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.
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.
September 2009 P/N CMH9R Rev. A00

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Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . .5
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . 5
Connect the AC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connect the Network Cable (Optional) . . . . . 7
Press the Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Set Up the Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Install the SIM Card (Optional). . . . . . . . . . . 10
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional). . . . . 12
Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . . . 14
Set Up the TV Tuner (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Using Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Right Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Left Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Back Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Computer Base Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Touch Pad Gestures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Removing and Replacing the Battery . . . . . 30
Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Dell DataSafe Online Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Dell Dock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Power Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . 41
Contents

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Contents
Using Support Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Hardware Troubleshooter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . .50
System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Operating System Reinstallation . . . . . . . . . 53
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Technical Support and Customer
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
DellConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Automated Order-Status Service . . . . . . . . . 59
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Returning Items for Repair Under Warranty
or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Finding More Information and
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Basic Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Macrovision Product Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Information for NOM, or Official Mexican
Standard (Only for Mexico). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

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This section provides information about setting up your Inspiron™laptop.
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 Inspiron laptop 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 place your computer in an enclosed space,
such as a cabinet or drawer when it is powered on.
WARNING: 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 powered on. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.
CAUTION: Placing or stacking heavy or sharp objects on the computer may result in
permanent damage to the computer.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
INSPIRON

6
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the AC Adapter
Connect the AC adapter to the computer and then plug it into an electrical outlet or surge protector.
WARNING: 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 a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or
permanent damage to your computer.

7
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
To use a wired network connection, connect the network cable.

8
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Press the Power Button

9
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up the Operating System
Your Dell computer is preconfigured with the operating system you selected at the time of purchase.
Microsoft®Windows®
To set up Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are
mandatory and may take some time to complete. The Windows setup screens will take you through
several procedures including accepting license agreements, setting preferences, and setting up an
Internet connection.
CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing so may render your
computer unusable and you will need to reinstall the operating system.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you download and
install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer available at support.dell.com.
Ubuntu®
To set up Ubuntu for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. See the Ubuntu
documentation that shipped with your computer for more operating system specific information.

10
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Install the SIM Card (Optional)
Installing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card allows you to browse the Internet, check e-mail,
and connect to a Virtual Private Network. To access these features, you must be within the network
of your cellular service provider.
3
2
1
1battery bay
2SIM card
3SIM card slot

11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To install the SIM card:
Turn off your computer.1.
Remove the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page2. 30).
In the battery bay, slide the SIM card into the SIM card slot.3.
Replace the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page4. 30).
Turn on your computer.5.
To remove the SIM card, press and eject the SIM card.

12
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)

13
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To enable wireless:
Turn on your computer.1.
Double-click the2. icon on the system tray
or press <F2>.
The Wireless Enable/Disable dialog box
appears.
Select the option(s) you want to enable:3.
Enable Bluetooth–
Enable Wireless LAN/WiMax–
Enable Wireless WAN/GPS–
Click4. OK.
To disable wireless:
Double-click the1. icon on the system tray
or press <F2>.
The Wireless Enable/Disable dialog box
appears.
Clear the option(s) you want to disable:2.
Enable Bluetooth–
Enable Wireless LAN/WiMax–
Enable Wireless WAN/GPS–
Click3. OK.

14
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect to the Internet
(Optional)
To connect to the Internet, you need an external
modem or network connection and an Internet
service provider (ISP).
If an external USB modem or WLAN adapter
is not a part of your original order, you can
purchase one at www.dell.com.
Setting Up a Wired 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.
To complete setting up your wired Internet
connection, follow the instructions in “Setting
Up Your Internet Connection” on page 15.
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:
Windows XP
NOTE: The following steps were written for
the Windows default view, so they may not
apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the
Windows Classic view.
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 12).
Save and close any open files, and exit any2.
open programs.

15
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Click3. Start→ Connect to→Wireless
Network Connections→View Wireless
Networks.
Follow the instructions on the screen to4.
complete the setup.
Windows 7
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 12).
Save and close any open files, and exit any2.
open programs.
Click3. Start → Control Panel→Network
and Sharing Center→ Connect to a network.
Follow the instructions on the screen to4.
complete the setup.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact
your ISP for offerings available in your country.
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.
Have your ISP information ready. If you do not
have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet wizard
can help you get one.

16
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To setup your Internet connection:
Windows XP
NOTE: The following steps were written for
the Windows default view, so they may not
apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the
Windows Classic view.
Save and close any open files, and exit any1.
open programs.
Click2. Start→Control Panel.
Under3. Network and Internet Connections,
select Setup or Change Your Internet
Connection.
Click4. Setup.
The New Connection Wizard appears.
Click5. Connect to the Internet.
NOTE: Your computer does not have an
internal optical drive. Use an external
optical drive or any external storage device
for the procedures that involve discs.
In the next window, click the appropriate6.
option:
If you do not have an ISP, 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 setup CD, click– Use the CD
I got from an ISP.
Click7. Next.
If you selected Set up my connection
manually in step 6, continue to step 8.
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.

17
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Click the appropriate option under8. How do
you want to connect to the Internet?, and
click Next.
Use the setup information provided by your9.
ISP to complete the setup.
Windows 7
Save and close any open files, and exit any1.
open programs.
Click2. Start →Control Panel.
Click3. Network and Sharing Center→Set up
a new connection or network→Connect to
the Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
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 and4.
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
Set Up the TV Tuner
(Optional)
NOTE: Availability of the TV tuner may vary
by region.
To set up the TV tuner for the first time:
Click1. Start→ All Programs.
Click2. Dell Digital TV→Dell Digital TV
and follow the instructions on the screen.
To re-configure your TV tuner settings:
Click1. Start→ All Programs.
Click2. Dell Digital TV →Dell Digital TV .
Click3. Scan .
The scan wizard will scan for the channels
available in your region.

18
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
This section provides information about the features available on your Inspiron™laptop.
Right Side Features
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INSPIRON