Dell Inspiron 1427 User manual

INSPIRON™ 1427
SETUP GUIDE

INSPIRON™ 1427
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, Insprion, YOURS IS HERE and Dell Inc. Intel and Core 2 Duo are registered trademarks
of Intel Corporation, Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries/regions. Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell Inc. under license.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to referto either the entitiesclaiming the marks and names or their products.Dell
Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
January 2009 P/N F243R Rev. A00

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INSPIRON
Contents
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
Windows Vista Setup ....................................9
Connect to the Internet (optional) ................9
Using Your Inspiron Laptop .................... 12
Right side View ..........................................12
Left side View ..............................................14
Front view ...................................................16
Back View ...................................................18
Removing and Replacing the Battery ..........19
Software Features ........................................20
Troubleshooting................................... 22
Network Problems ...................................... 22
Power Problems ......................................... 23
Memory Problems ...................................... 24
Lockups and Software Problems ................ 24
Dell Diagnostics ......................................... 27
Restore the Operating System..............28

4
Getting Help ......................................... 33
Technical Support and Customer Service ....34
Online Services ...........................................34
Product Information ....................................35
Before You Call ............................................36
Contacting Dell ............................................37
Finding More Information and Resources.. 38
Specifications ...................................... 40
Index.................................................... 48

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INSPIRON
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
This section provides information about setting up your
Inspiron 1427 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 10.2cm
(4in. ) at the back of the computer and a minimum of
5.1cm (2in. ) on all other sides. When the computer is
powered on, you should never put it in an enclosed
space, such as a cabinet or drawer.
NOTICE: Placing or stacking heavy or sharp
objects on the computer may result in permanent
damage to the computer.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
6
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.

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

Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
8
Press the Power Button

Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
9
Windows Vista Setup
If you ordered Windows Vista operating system with
your computer, it is already configured. 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
configuring an Internet connection.
Connect to the Internet (Optional)
To connect to the Internet, you need an external
modem or network connection and an Internet service
provider (ISP).
Setting Up a Wired Internet Connection in
Windows Vista
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 11.
NOTICE: Do not interrupt the operating system’s
setup process. Doing so may render your
computer unusable.
NOTE: ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and
ISP offerings vary by country and region.
NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet
but have successfully connected in the past,
the ISP might be having 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, Connect to the
Internet wizard can help you get one.

Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
10
Setting Up a Wireless Internet Connection in
Windows Vista
1. Internet Service
2. Cable Modem or DSL Modem
3. Wireless Router
4. Portable Computer with Wireless Internet
Card
For more information on setting up and using wireless
see the user manual of the computer or router.
Before you can use your wireless Internet connection,
you need to connect to your wireless router.
To set up a wireless router connection:
1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open
programs.
2. Click Start →Connect To.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete
the setup.
Wireless Router
Internet Service
Cable Modem or DSL
Modem
Portable Computer
with Wireless Internet
Card

Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
11
Setting Up Your Internet Connection in Windows
Vista
To set up an Internet connection, perform the steps in
the following section.
1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open
programs.
2. Double-click the ISP icon on the desktop.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete
the Microsoft Windows setup.
If there is no ISP icon on the desktop or you wish to use
a different ISP for your Internet connection, perform the
steps in the following section.
1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open
programs.
2. Click Start →Control Panel.
3. Under Network and Internet, click on the Connect
to the Internet link.
Connect to the Internet wizard will be displayed.
4. Select your preferred connection type by clicking
on Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up:
a. If you are using a DSL, satellite or cable
modem, or Bluetooth wireless technology,
select Broadband.
b. If you are using an external USB modem or
ISDN, select Dial-up.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen and use
the information provided by your ISP to
complete the setup.
NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet
but have successfully connected in the past,
the ISP might be having 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, Connect to the
Internet wizard can help you get one.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, click Help me choose
or contact your ISP.

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INSPIRON
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Your Inspiron 1427 has indicators, buttons, and
features that provide information at-a-glance and
time-saving shortcuts for common tasks.
Right Side View
123

Using Your Inspiron Laptop
13
1. Optical drive: You can input/output data for
different purposes, such as burning CDs or playing
DVDs.
2. USB connectors: Connect to USB devices,
such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, external
device, or an MP3 player.
3. AC adapter connector: Connects to the
AC adapter to power on the computer and charge
the battery when the computer is not in use.

Using Your Inspiron Laptop
14
Left Side View
12 346578

Using Your Inspiron Laptop
15
1. VGA connector: Connects to a monitor or
projector.
2. Network connector (RJ-45): Connects the
computer to a Local Area Network (LAN).
3. High Power USB connectors: Connects to
high power devices that draw more than 100mA from
the USB power line, such as digital cameras and
external hard drives.
4. IEEE 1394 connector: Connects devices
supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates,
such as some digital video cameras.
5. PCI-Express Card slot: Supports 54mm PCI-
Express Cards.
6. 3-in-1 memory cardreader: Supports SD/MMC/
MS memory cards, commonly used for digital still
cameras and portable digital devices.
7. Microphone connector: Attach a
microphone to this connector.
8. Headphone connector: Attach headphones
or stereo speakers to this connector. The internal
speakers are used when you attach headphones or
stereo speakers to this port.
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Using Your Inspiron Laptop
16
Front view
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Using Your Inspiron Laptop
17
1. LCD latch: Secures the LCD display panel to the
notebook. When opening the notebook, push the
LCD latch to the right and lift the display panel.
When you close the notebook, the LCD latch will
hold the display panel in place.
2. Built-in camera: The webcam is equipped with a
2. 0 megapixel CMOS sensor.
3. Built-in microphone: Provides audio input
without connecting an external device.
4. LCD display: Your computer comes with a 14. 1"
COLOR TFT/WXGA LCD display.
5. Power button: Press to power on your
computer.
6. Speakers: Provide audio output.
7. Keyboard: Includes a numeric keypad and the
Microsoft Windows logo key .
8. Touch pad: Provides the functionality of a mouse.
9. Touch pad buttons: Use these buttons much like
the left and right buttons of a mouse when you use
the touch pad to move the cursor on the display.
10.Wireless switch: Turn the wireless connection on
or off. When the wireless connection is turned on,
the wireless status light on the front of the
computer lights up.
11.Status/Power light
Power (blue)
Battery charging (blue/amber)
Wireless connection (blue)/Bluetooth (amber)
Flashing power light indicates the computer is in
standby mode.

Using Your Inspiron Laptop
18
Back view
Kensington lock: You can attach a commercially
available anti-theft device to the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy an anti-theft device, make
sure that it works with the Kensington lock on your
computer.
Kensington Lock