Dell Inspiron G374R User manual

SETUP GUIDE
INSPIRON™

SETUP GUIDE
Model P04S series Regulatory type: P04S001
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.; ATI Radeon is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc; Intel, Celeron, and Pentium are registered
trademarks and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries; Microsoft , Windows , Windows
Vista, and Windows Vista start button logo 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; SRS Premium Sound, SRS, and the symbol are trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc.
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.
May 2009 P/N G374R 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 Microsoft®Windows Vista®. . . . . . . .9
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional). . . . . 10
Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . . . 12
Using Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Right Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Left Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Computer Base Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Media Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Removing and Replacing the Battery . . . . . 24
Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Power Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . 35
Using Support Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Hardware Troubleshooter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . .43
System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Operating System Reinstallation . . . . . . . . . 47
Contents

4
Contents
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Technical Support and Customer
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
DellConnect™. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Automated Order-Status Service . . . . . . . . . 52
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Returning Items for Repair Under
Warranty or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Finding More Information and
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Macrovision Product Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

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This section provides information about setting
up your Inspiron 1320 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.
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.
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 the other end to 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.
NOTE: Use only Dell AC adapter family PA-12, PA-2E, and PA-3E with 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 Microsoft®Windows Vista®
Your computer is preconfigured with Windows Vista operating system if you ordered it while
purchasing your computer. 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 Windows Vista
setup screen 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.

10
Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Laptop
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)

11
Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Laptop
Press the <F2> key or press the1. key on the keyboard to enable or disable wireless. The
wireless enable or disable dialog box will appear on your screen.
Press the left-arrow key or the right-arrow keys to:2.
Enable Bluetooth–
Enable Wireless LAN–
Enable Bluetooth and Wireless LAN–
Disable Bluetooth and Wireless LAN–
Press <Enter> to apply the change.3.

12
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 from the Dell website at
www.dell.com.
You can connect to the Internet using either a
wired or a wireless connection.
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 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
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
Before you can use your wireless Internet
connection, you need to connect to your
wireless router.
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 10).
Save and close any open files, and exit any2.
open programs.
Click3. Start →Connect To.
Follow the instructions on the screen to4.
complete the setup.

13
Setting Up Your Inspiron™ Laptop
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.
Save and close any open files, and exit any1.
open programs.
NOTE: The following instructions are
applicable for the Windows default view,
they may not apply if you set your computer
to the Windows Classic view.
Click2. Start →Control Panel.
Click3. Network and Internet→Network
and Sharing Center→Setup a
Connection→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.

14
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Your Inspiron 1320 laptop has indicators and buttons that provide information and enable you to
perform common tasks. The connectors on your computer provide the option of attaching additional
devices.
Right Side Features
12345678
1ExpressCard slot – Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a plastic blank
installed in the slot.
NOTE: Your computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the ExpressCard slot. Blanks
protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no
ExpressCard is installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
INSPIRON

15
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
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 inputs signal for use
with audio programs.
4IEEE 1394 connector – Connects to high-speed serial multimedia devices, such as digital
video cameras.
5USB 2.0 connectors (2) – Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer,
external drive, or MP3 player.
6eSATA/USB combo connector – Connects to eSATA compatible storage devices (such
as external hard disk drives or optical drives) or USB devices (such as a mouse, keyboard,
printer, external drive, or MP3 player).
7Network connector – Connects your computer to a network or a broadband device if you
are using a wired network.
8Security 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.

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

17
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1AC adapter connector – Connects to the AC adapter to power the computer and charge
the battery.
2VGA connector – Connects to a monitor or projector.
3HDMI connector – Connects to a TV for both 5.1 audio and video signals.
NOTE: When used with a monitor, only the video signal is read.
45-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•
Memory Stick PRO•
NOTE: Your computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the Media Card Reader slot. Blanks
protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no Media card
is installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.

18
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Computer Base Features
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