Dell Inspiron 4150 User manual

Dell Inspiron 4150
Dell™ Inspiron™ 4150
A Tour of Your Computer
Solving Problems
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Reinstalling the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System
Using the System Setup Program
Power Management
Using the Dell Diagnostics
Specifications
Pin Assignments for I/O Connectors
Removing and Replacing Parts
Documentation
CAUTION: Follow the safety instructions in the Owners Manual to help
protect your computer from damage and ensure your own personal
safety.
Hints, Notices, and Cautions
HINT: A HINT 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.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Tell Me How help file (see
"Accessing Help").
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Back to Contents Page
A Tour of Your Computer
Dell™ Inspiron™ 4150
Front View
Left Side View
Right Side View
Back View
Bottom View
Front View
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Display Latch — Keeps the display closed.
Keyboard Status Lights — The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the
following:
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled
Turns on when the caps lock function is enabled
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Air Vent — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which
prevents the computer from overheating.
HINT: The computer turns on the fans when the computer gets hot. The fans may
make noise, which is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fans or the
computer.
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the
air vents. Do not store your 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.
Microphone — Allows you to record audio.
Device Status Lights
Turns on when you turn on the computer.
Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.
NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn
off the computer while the light is
flashing.
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Turns on steadily or blinks when the computer is in
a power management mode. It also blinks to
indicate battery charge status.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:
❍Solid green: The battery is charging.
❍Flashing green: The battery is fully charged.
If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows:
❍Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off).
❍Flashing orange: The battery charge is low.
❍Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.
Touch Pad — Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse. For
more information, see the Tell Me How help file (see "Accessing Help").
Module Bay — You can install devices such as an optical drive or the Dell TravelLite™
module in the module bay.
Display Latch Button — Press this button to release the display latch and open the display.
Battery Bay — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting it
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
to an electrical outlet. For more information, see the Tell Me How help file (see "Accessing
Help").
Touch Pad/Track Stick Buttons — Correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard
mouse.
Keyboard — The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows®
logo key, . For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see the Tell Me How help
file (see "Accessing Help").
Power Button — Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power
management mode.
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns
off completely (which may take about 4 seconds).
NOTICE: Turn off your computer by performing a Windows shutdown. Otherwise, you
may lose data.
Dell™ AccessDirect™ Button — Press this button to launch various resources, such as
support and educational tools. For more information, see the Tell Me How help file (see
"Accessing Help").
Left Side View
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
PC Card Slot — Has two connectors that support various types of PC Cards, including
modems and network adapters. For more information, see the Tell Me How help file (see
"Accessing Help").
Hard Drive — Stores software and data.
Security Cable Slot — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the
computer. Instructions for installing antitheft devices are usually included with the device.
NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security
cable slot.
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Speakers — Press the volume control keyboard shortcuts to adjust the volume of the
integrated speakers. For more information, see the Tell Me How help file (see "Accessing
Help").
Right Side View
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Speakers — Press the volume control keyboard shortcuts to adjust the volume of the
integrated speakers. For more information, see the Tell Me How help file (see "Accessing
Help").
Infrared Sensor — The infrared sensor lets you transfer files from your computer to
another infrared-compatible device without using cable connections.
Audio Connectors
Attach a microphone to the connector.
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.
Modem Connector
Connect the telephone line to the optional modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online modem
documentation supplied with your computer. To access device
user's guides, see "Need Additional Help?" in the Tell Me How help
file (see "Accessing Help").
Network Connector
Connects the computer to a network. The lights next to the
connector indicate activity for both wired and wireless network
communications.
For information on using the network adapter, see the online
network adapter documentation supplied with your computer. To
access device user's guides, see "Need Additional Help?" in the Tell
Me How help file (see "Accessing Help").
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. Do not
plug a telephone line into the network connector.
S-Video TV-Out Connector
Connects your computer to a TV.
Air Vent — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which
prevents the computer from overheating.
HINT: The computer turns on the fans when the computer gets hot. The fans may
make noise, which is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fans or the
computer.
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the
air vents. Do not store your 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.
Back View
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the
computer before you disconnect an external device.
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the
air vents. Do not store your 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.
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Fan — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents
the computer from overheating.
Serial Connector
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device.
Parallel Connector
Connects a parallel device, such as a printer. You can also
connect the optional floppy drive directly to the parallel connector
using the optional floppy drive cable.
Docking Connector
HINT: Docking devices may not be available in some countries.
Connects the optional docking device. A docking device allows you
to easily use external devices with your computer, such as an
external keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
See the documentation that came with your docking device for
additional information.
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
PS/2 Connector
HINT: You can use the integrated keyboard and an external keyboard at the same
time. When you attach a PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 numeric keypad, the integrated
keypad is disabled.
Connects PS/2-compatible devices, such as a mouse, keyboard,
or external numeric keypad.
Shut down the computer before attaching or removing a PS/2-
compatible device. If the device does not work, install the device
drivers from the floppy disk or CD that came with the device, and
restart the computer.
USB Connector
Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
Video Connector
Connects an external monitor. For more information, see "Using
the Display" in the Tell Me How help file (see "Accessing Help").
AC Adapter Connector — Attach the AC adapter to the computer.
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can
connect the AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off.
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.
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter from the computer, grasp the adapter
cable connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the
cable.
Bottom View
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A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150
Fan — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents
the computer from overheating.
Device Latch Releases — Press a latch release to remove a device in the module or battery
bay.
Memory Module Cover — Protects the memory module(s), the optional Mini PCI card, and
the optional modem (see "Memory Modules, Mini PCI Card, and Modem").
Docking Device Latch — Latches onto the docking device.
Back to Contents Page
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Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150
Back to Contents Page
Solving Problems
Dell™ Inspiron™ 4150
Accessing Help
Power Problems
Error Messages
Video and Display Problems
Sound and Speaker
Problems
Printer Problems
Modem and Internet
Connection Problems
Scanner Problems
Touch Pad or Mouse
Problems
External Keyboard Problems
Unexpected Characters
Drive Problems
PC Card Problems
Network Problems
General Program Problems
E-Mail Problems
If Your Computer Gets Wet
If You Drop or Damage Your
Computer
Resolving Other Technical
Problems
Accessing Help
To access the Tell Me How help file —
1. Click the Start button and then click Help and Support.
2. Click User and system guides and then click User's guides.
3. Click Tell Me How.
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Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150
To access help in Microsoft® Windows® XP —
1. Click the Start button and then click Help and Support.
2. Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then click the
arrow icon.
3. Click the topic that describes your problem.
4. Follow the instructions shown on the screen.
Power Problems
HINT: See the Tell Me How help file for information on power management
modes (see "Accessing Help").
Check the power light — When the power light is lit or blinking, the
computer has power. If the light is blinking, the computer is in standby
mode—press the power button to exit a standby mode. If the light is off,
the computer is either in a power management mode or off—press the
power button to exit a power management mode or to turn on the
computer.
Charge the battery — The battery charge may be depleted.
1. Reinstall the battery.
2. Use the AC adapter to connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
3. Turn on the computer.
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Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150
Check the battery status light — If the battery status light flashes
orange or is a steady orange, the battery charge is low or depleted.
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
If the battery status light flashes green and orange, the battery is too hot
to charge. Shut down the computer, disconnect the computer from the
electrical outlet, and then let the battery and computer cool to room
temperature.
If the battery status light rapidly flashes orange, the battery may be
defective. Contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by
testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Check the AC adapter — Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the
AC adapter has a light, ensure that the light is on.
Connect the computer directly to an electrical outlet — Bypass power
protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify that the
computer turns on.
Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent
lights, halogen lamps, or other appliances.
Adjust the power properties — Your computer may be in standby or
hibernate mode. For information on power management modes, see the Tell
Me How help file, or search for the keyword standby or hibernate in the
Windows XP Help and Support Center (see "Accessing Help").
Reseat the memory modules — If the computer power light turns on but
the display remains blank, reseat the memory modules.
Error Messages
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Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150
If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the
program that was running at the time the message appeared.
The file being copied is too large for the destination drive — The file
that you are trying to copy is too large to fit on the disk, or the disk is too
full. Try copying the file to a different disk or use a larger capacity disk.
A filename cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ?
" < > | — Do not use these characters in filenames.
Insert bootable media — The operating system is trying to boot to a
nonbootable floppy disk or CD. Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Non-system disk or disk error — A floppy disk is in the floppy drive.
Remove the floppy disk and restart the computer.
Not enough memory or resources. Exit some programs and try again
—You have too many programs open. Close all windows and open the
program that you want to use.
Operating system not found — Contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual
for contact information.
A required .DLL file was not found — The program that you are trying to
open is missing an essential file. Remove and then reinstall the program.
1. Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Select the program you want to remove.
4. Click Remove or Change/Remove and follow the prompts on the
screen.
5. See the program documentation for installation instructions.
x:\ is not accessible. The device is not ready — Insert a disk into the
drive and try again.
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Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150
Video and Display Problems
If the display is blank
HINT: If you are using a program that requires a higher resolution than your
computer supports, Dell recommends that you attach an external monitor to
your computer.
Check the light — When the light is blinking, the computer has
power.
●If the light is blinking, the computer is in standby mode—press
the power button to exit standby mode.
●If the light is off, press the power button.
●If the light is on, your power management settings may have
caused the display to turn off. Try pressing the power button.
Check the battery — If you are using a battery to power your computer,
the battery charge may be depleted. Connect the computer to an electrical
outlet using the AC adapter, and turn on the computer.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by
testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Check the AC adapter — Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the
AC adapter has a light, ensure that it is on.
Connect the computer directly to an electrical outlet — Bypass power
protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify that the
computer turns on.
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