Dell Inspiron 1210 User manual

SETUP GUIDE
INSPIRON™

Model PP40S
INSPIRON™1210
SETUP GUIDE

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 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, and DellConnect are trademarks of Dell Inc.;
Intel , and Atom are registered trademarks and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries;
Microsoft , Windows , and Windows Vista are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.; 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.
Model PP40S
July 2008 P/N M438J Rev. A00

3
INSPIRON
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
Ubuntu®Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows Vista®Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . . . 10
Using Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Left Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Computer Base and Keyboard Features . . . 18
Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Removing and Replacing the Battery . . . . . 21
Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . 27
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Using Support Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Hardware Troubleshooter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . .34
System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Operating System Reinstallation . . . . . . . . . 37
Contents

4
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Technical Support and Customer
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
AutoTech Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Finding More Information and
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Basic Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

5
INSPIRON
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
This section provides information about setting
up your Inspiron 1210 laptop 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 Inspiron
laptop may cause it to overheat. To prevent
overheating ensure that you leave at least
10.2 cm (4 in) at the back of the computer and a
minimum of 5.1 cm (2 in) 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.
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.
NOTICE: Placing or stacking heavy or sharp
objects on the computer may result in
permanent damage to the computer.

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

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

8
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Press the Power Button

9
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Ubuntu®Information
If you requested for Ubuntu while ordering,
your laptop is preconfigured with Ubuntu. See
the Ubuntu Quick Start Guide that shipped with
your laptop for more operating system specific
information.
Windows Vista®Setup
Your Dell computer is preconfigured with
Windows Vista. 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.

10
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect to the Internet (Optional)
NOTE: ISPs (Internet Service Providers)
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).
NOTE: If an external USB modem or WLAN
adapter is not a part of your original
order, you can purchase one from the Dell
website at www.dell.com.
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.
Setting Up a Wired Internet Connection in
Windows Vista
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect
the telephone line to the external USB modem
(optional) and to the telephone wall connector
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 and
see “Setting Up Your Internet Connection in
Windows Vista” on page 12.

11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Setting Up a Wireless Connection in
Windows Vista
2
1
3
4
1Internet service
2cable or DSL modem
3wireless router
4 portable computer with wireless network
card
See the documentation for your computer or
router for more information about how to set up
and use your wireless network.
Before you can use your wireless Internet
connection, you need to connect to your
wireless router.
To set up your connection using 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.

12
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Setting Up Your Internet Connection in
Windows Vista
To set up an Internet connection, perform the
steps in the following section.
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.
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.

13
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
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.

INSPIRON
14
Your Inspiron 1210 has indicators, buttons, and
features that provide information at-a-glance
and time-saving shortcuts for common tasks.
Right Side Features
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
5
4
3
2
1

15
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1– 3-in-1
Media card reader – Provides a fast and
convenient way to view and share digital
photos, music, videos, and documents
stored on the following digital memory
cards:
Secure Digital (SD) memory card•
Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)•
Card
Multimedia Card (MMC)•
Memory Stick•
2Audio Out/ Headphone
connector – Connects to a pair of
headphones, or sends audio to a powered
speaker or sound system.
3Audio In/ Microphone connector –
Connects to a microphone or input signal
for use with audio programs.
4USB 2.0 connector – Connects to
USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard,
printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
5Network connector – If you are
using a cabled network signal, this
connects your computer to a network or
broadband device.

16
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Left Side Features
4
3
1
2

17
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1USB 2.0 connectors (2) – Connect to
USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard,
printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
2VGA connector – Connects to a
monitor or projector.
3AC adapter connector – Connects to
the AC adapter to power on the computer
and charge the battery when the computer
is not in use.
4Security cable slot – Attaches a
commercially available antitheft device to
the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy an antitheft
device, ensure that it works with the
security cable slot on your computer.

18
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Computer Base and Keyboard
Features
1
2
4
3
5