Dell Latitude C640 User manual

Dell™ Latitude™ C540/C640 User's Guide
Click the links to the left for information on the features and operation of your computer. For information on
other documentation included with your computer, see "Finding Information."
CAUTION: Follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide to help protect
your computer from damage and ensure your own personal safety.
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.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2002–2003 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, AccessDirect, Latitude, Dell Precision, OptiPlex, Inspiron, Dimension, Dell
TravelLite, and DellNet are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks and
Intel Speedstep is a trademark of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows,Windows NT, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation; ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR
Partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
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 Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model Number PP01L
April 2003 P/N 2P726 Rev. A03

Finding Information
Safety Instructions
Documentation Updates
Using Microsoft® Windows®
Using Devices
Using the Drivers and Utilities CD
Fixing Problems
Installing Parts
Safety Instructions
CAUTION: For precautions on safely handling and using your computer and preventing
electrostatic discharge, see the safety instructions in the System Information Guide.
Documentation Updates
Documentation updates are sometimes included with your computer to describe changes to your computer
or software. Always read these updates before consulting any other documentation because the updates
contain the latest information.
Readme files, which may be installed on your hard drive or found on CDs such as the Drivers and Utilities
CD, provide last-minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technical reference
material intended for experienced users or technicians.
Using Microsoft® Windows®
Windows Help
Each operating system provides complete online instructions for using it:
In Windows XP, click the Start button and click Help and Support. For more information, see "About
Microsoft® Windows® XP."
In Windows 2000, click the Start button and click Help.
Microsoft Windows Guide

For more information on using the Windows operating system, see the Microsoft Windows documentation
that came with your computer.
Using Devices
Dell™ User's Guides
For help on using your computer's devices (such as a modem) and options you purchase separately from
your computer, see the device user's guide.
In Windows XP, click the Start button and click Help and Support. From the Help and Support
window, click User and system guides.
In Windows 2000, click the Start button, point to Programs, and click User's Guides.
Using the Drivers and Utilities CD
The Drivers and Utilities CD contains drivers and utilities, the Dell Diagnostics, and user's guides for your
computer and optional devices. Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers and utilities already
installed-no further installation or configuration is needed. If you ever need to reinstall a driver or utility,
run diagnostics tests on your computer, or access the user's guides, use the Drivers and Utilities CD. See
"Reinstalling Software" and "Using the Dell Diagnostics."
Fixing Problems
For help with fixing computer problems, see "Solving Problems" and "Using the Dell Diagnostics."
Microsoft Windows Guide
For more information on troubleshooting problems, see the Microsoft Windows documentation that came
with your computer.
Dell Support
For personalized online support, driver updates, and instant answers to your questions, access the Dell
Support website at support.dell.com.

Installing Parts
For help with adding parts to your computer, see "Adding and Replacing Parts."
For detailed information on the computer parts and assemblies and how to remove and replace them, see
the computer Service Manual on support.dell.com.

About Your Computer
Front View
Left Side View
Right Side View
Back View
Bottom View
Front View
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents.
Doing so can damage the computer or cause a fire.

1
display latch
8
module bay
2
display
9
touch pad
3
keyboard status lights
10
battery bay
4
air vent
11
track stick/touch pad buttons
5
keyboard
12
track stick
6
microphone
13
power button
7
device status lights
14
AccessDirect button
Display Latch - Keeps the display closed.
Display - For more information on using your color display, see "Using the Display."
Keyboard Status Lights
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:

Keyboard Status Lights
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
Turns on when he scroll lock function is enabled.
Keyboard - The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key .
For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad."
Microphone - Allows you to record audio.
Device Status Lights
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.
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 almost 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.
Module Bay - You can install devices such as an optical drive or Dell™ TravelLite™ module in the module
bay. For more information, see "Using the Module Bay."
Touch Pad - Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse. See "Using the
Keyboard and Touch Pad" for more information.
Battery Bay - When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting it to an electrical
outlet. See "Using a Battery."
Track Stick/Touch Pad Buttons - Correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard mouse.
Track Stick - Use the track stick and track stick buttons as you would use a mouse. See "Using the
Keyboard and Touch Pad" for more information.
Power Button - Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter a power management mode.
NOTICE: Turn off your computer by performing a Windows shutdown rather than by pressing the
power button. Otherwise, you may lose data.
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely
(this may take several seconds).
Dell AccessDirect™ Button - Press this button to launch a frequently used program, such as your default
Internet browser. For more information, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad."
Dell AccessDirect™ Button

Left Side View

1
security cable slot
2
speaker
3
hard drive
4
PC Card slot
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.
Speakers - Press the volume control buttons or volume control keyboard shortcuts to adjust the volume of
the integrated speakers. For more information, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad."
Hard Drive - Reads and writes data on a hard disk.
PC Card Slot - Has two connectors that support various types of PC Cards, including modems and network
adapters. For more information, see "Using PC Cards."
Right Side View
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents.
Doing so can damage the computer or cause a fire.