Dell Inspiron N073F User manual

SETUP GUIDE
INSPIRON™

Model PP25L
SETUP GUIDE
INSPIRON™

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 , Pentium , and Celeron are registered trademarks and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States
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.
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents
and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright
protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing
uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.
Model PP25L July 2008 P/N N073F Rev. A01

3
INSPIRON
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . .5
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . 5
Connect the AC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Check the Wireless Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connect the Network Cable
(optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Press the Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Windows Vista®Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . . . . 8
Using Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Device Status Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Left Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Front Side Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Computer Base and Keyboard
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Media Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Removing and Replacing
the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Using the Optical Disc Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Power Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . 28
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Using Support Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Hardware Troubleshooter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Contents

4
Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . .36
System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Operating System Reinstallation . . . . . . . . . 39
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Technical Support and
Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
DellConnect™. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
AutoTech Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Returning Items for Repair
Under Warranty or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Finding More Information
and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Basic Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

5
INSPIRON
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
This section provides information about setting
up your Inspiron 1318 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
computer 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.
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.
Check the Wireless Switch
If you plan to use wireless connections, make
sure the wireless switch is in the “On” position.
Using The Wireless Switch
To turn on the wireless switch, slide it from the
rear to the front of the computer until it clicks
into place.
- Off - On

7
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the Network Cable
(optional)
If you plan to use a wired network connection,
plug in the network cable.
Press the Power Button

8
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
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.
Connect to the Internet (Optional)
NOTE: ISPs 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). Your ISP will offer one
or more of the following Internet connection
options:
DSL connections that provide high-speed•
Internet access through your existing
telephone line or cellular telephone service.
With a DSL connection, you can access the
Internet and use your telephone on the same
line simultaneously.
Cable modem connections that provide•
high-speed Internet access through your
local cable TV line.
Satellite modem connections that provide•
high-speed Internet access through
a satellite television system.