Dell INSPIRON P17F User manual

SETUP GUIDE
INSPIRON™

SETUP GUIDE
Regulatory model: P17F Regulatory type: P17F001
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 the Microsoft Windows operating systems are
not applicable.
This item incorporates copy protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights of
Rovi Corporation. Reverse engineering and disassembly are prohibited.
__________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2011–2012 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™, and DellConnect™are trademarks of DellInc. Intel®, Pentium®, and
Core™are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. AMD®and Radeon™
are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft®, Windows®, and the Windows 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. Blu-ray Disc™ is
a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association.
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.
2012 - 01 P/N HXN3V Rev. A03

3
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 the Operating System . . . . . . . . . .9
Create System Recovery Media
(Recommended). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Install the SIM Card (Optional) . . . . . . . . 12
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional). . . 14
Set Up Wireless Display (Optional) . . . . . 16
Connect to the Internet (Optional). . . . . 17
Using Your Inspiron Laptop. . . . . . . 20
Right View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Left View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Back View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Front View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Status Lights and Indicators. . . . . . . . . . .30
Disabling Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Computer Base and Keyboard
Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Touch Pad Gestures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Multimedia Control Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Using the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Removing and Replacing the
Top Cover (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Removing and Replacing
the Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Software Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Dell DataSafe Online Backup. . . . . . . . . . 51
Dell Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Contents

4
Contents
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Beep Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Lockups and Software Problems. . . . . . .58
Using Support Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
My Dell Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Hardware Troubleshooter . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Restoring Your Operating
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
System Restore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Dell DataSafe Local Backup. . . . . . . . . . .68
System Recovery Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Technical Support and Customer
Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
DellConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Online Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Automated Order-Status Service . . . . . . 77
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Returning Items for Repair Under
Warranty or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Finding More Information and
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Information for NOM, or Official
Mexican Standard (Only for Mexico). . . .93
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

5
This section provides information about
setting up your Dell Inspiron 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 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 place your Dell
computer in a low-airflow environment,
such as a closed briefcase, or on fabric
surfaces, such as carpets or rugs, while
it is powered on. Restricting the airflow
can damage the computer, deteriorate
the computer performance, 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 it into 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.

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 the Operating System
Your Dell computer is preconfigured with the operating system you selected at the time of
purchase.
Set Up Microsoft Windows
To set up Microsoft Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These
steps are mandatory and may take some time to complete. The Windows setup screens
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.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you download
and install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer available at support.dell.com.
NOTE: For more information on the operating system and features, go to
support.dell.com/MyNewDell.
Set Up Ubuntu
To set up Ubuntu for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. See the Ubuntu
documentation for more operating system specific information.

10
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Create System Recovery Media (Recommended)
NOTE: It is recommended that you create system recovery media as soon as you set up
Microsoft Windows.
The system recovery media can be used to restore your computer to the operating state it
was in when you purchased the computer, while preserving data files (without the need of the
Operating System disc). You can use the system recovery media if changes to the hardware,
software, drivers, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating
state.
You will require the following to create the system recovery media:
•Dell DataSafe Local Backup
•USB key with a minimum capacity of 8 GB or DVD-R/DVD+R/Blu-ray Disc (optional)
NOTE: Dell DataSafe Local Backup does not support rewritable discs.

11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To create system recovery media:
1. Ensure that the AC adapter is connected (see “Connect the AC Adapter” on page6).
2. Insert the disc or USB key in the computer.
3. Click Start → All Programs→Dell DataSafe Local Backup.
4. Click Create Recovery Media.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.
NOTE: For information on restoring your operating system using the system recovery
media, see “System Recovery Media” on page71.
NOTE: It is recommended that you create a password reset disk as soon as you set up
Microsoft Windows. For more information, see the Windows 7 support at
support.dell.com/MyNewDell.

12
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Install the SIM Card (Optional)
NOTE: The SIM card slot is available in your computer only if you ordered a WWAN card at
the time of purchase.
NOTE: Installing a SIM card is not required if you are using an EVDO card to access the
Internet.
Installing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in your computer allows you to connect to
the Internet. To access the Internet you must be within the network of your cellular service
provider.
To install the SIM card:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Remove the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page48).
3. In the battery bay, slide the SIM card into the SIM card slot.
4. Replace the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page48).
5. Turn on your computer.
To remove the SIM card, press and eject the SIM card.

13
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
1SIM card slot
2SIM card
3battery bay
1
2
3

14
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)

15
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To enable or disable wireless:
1. Ensure that your computer is turnedon.
2. Press <Fn> along with the < > key on the function key row on the keyboard.
The current status of the wireless radios appears on the screen.
Wireless enabled
Wireless disabled
3. Press <Fn> along with the < > key again to switch between the wireless enabled or
disabled states.
NOTE: The wireless key allows you to quickly turn off wireless radios (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth),
such as when you are asked to disable all wireless radios on an airplane flight.

16
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up Wireless Display
(Optional)
NOTE: The wireless display feature may
not be supported on all computers. For
information about the hardware and
software requirements for setting up
wireless display, see www.intel.com.
The Intel wireless display feature allows
you to share your computer display to a TV
without the use of cables. You must connect
a wireless display adapter to your TV before
setting up wireless display.
NOTE: The wireless display adapter does
not ship with your computer and must be
purchased separately.
If your computer supports the wireless display
feature, the Intel Wireless Display icon will
be available on the Windows desktop.
To set up wireless display:
1. Turn on your computer.
2. Press <Fn> along with the < > key on the
function key row on the keyboard to enable
wireless.
3. Connect the wireless display adapter to
theTV.
4. Turn on the TV.
5. Select the appropriate video source
for your TV, such as HDMI1, HDMI2, or
S-Video.
6. Click the Intel Wireless Display icon on
the desktop.
The Intel Wireless Display window
appears.
7. Select Scan for available displays.
8. Select your wireless display adapter from
the Detected wireless displays list.
9. Enter the security code that appears on
yourTV.

17
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To enable wireless display:
1. Click the Intel Wireless Display icon on
the desktop.
The Intel Wireless Display window
appears.
2. Select Connect to Existing Adapter.
NOTE: You can download and install the
latest driver for “Intel Wireless Display
Connection Manager” from
support.dell.com.
NOTE: For more information about
wireless display, see the wireless display
adapter documentation.
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 dell.com.

18
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Setting Up a Wired Connection
•If you are using a dial-up connection,
connect the telephone line to the optional
external USB modem 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.
To complete setting up your wired Internet
connection, follow the instructions in “Setting
Up Your Internet Connection” on page19.
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
NOTE: To set up your wireless router,
see the documentation that shipped with
your router.
Before you can use your wireless Internet
connection, you need to connect to your
wireless router.
To set up your connection to awireless
router:
1. Ensure that wireless is enabled on your
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless
(Optional)” on page14).
2. Save and close any open files, and exit any
open programs.
3. Click Start →Control Panel.
4. In the search box, type network, and
then click Network and Sharing Center→
Connect to a network.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to
complete the setup.