Dell Latitude C840 User manual

Dell™Latitude™C840User'sGuide
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Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
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For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary.
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This document describes the features and operation of your computer. This document is stored on your computer hard drive. For information on other
documentation included with your computer, see "Finding Information."
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
©2001–2003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, Latitude, OptiPlex, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dell TravelLite, and DellNet are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel, Pentium,
and Intel SpeedStep are registered trademarks 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.
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 PP01X
April 2003 P/N 7J543 Rev. A03
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.

About Your Computer
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Front View
Left Side View
Right Side View
Back View
Bottom View
Front View
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Display Latch —Keeps the display closed.
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Display —For more information on using your color display, see "Using the Display."
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1
display latch
8
touch pad
2
display
9
battery bay
3
device status lights
10
module bay
4
air vent
11
touch pad/track stick buttons
5
keyboard status lights
12
Dell™AccessDirect™button
6
keyboard
13
power button
7
track stick
14
microphone

Device Status Lights
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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.
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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.
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Air Vents —The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.
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Keyboard Status Lights
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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.
NOTE: 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 fan or the computer.
CAUTION: Do not push objects into the air vents or openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior
components.

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The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
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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."
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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.
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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.
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Battery Bay —When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting it to an electrical outlet. See "Using a Battery."
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Display Latch Button —Press this button to release the display latch and open the display.
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Module Bay —You can install devices such as a CD drive, CD-RWdrive,DVDdrive,Zipdrive,secondharddrive,secondbattery,orDellTravelLite™modulein
the module bay. For more information, see "Using the Module Bay."
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Touch Pad/Track Stick Buttons —Correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard mouse.
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If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (which may take several seconds).
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DellAccessDirect™Button
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Keyboard Status Lights
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.

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Press this button to launch a frequently used program, such as your default Internet browser. You can reprogram the button to launch a program of your
choice.
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For more information, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad."
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Power Button —Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit standby or hibernate mode.
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If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (this process takes at least 4 seconds).
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Microphone —Allows you to record audio.
Left Side View
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1
fixed optical drive
2
S-video TV-out connector
3
security cable slot
4
modem connector
5
network connector
6
speaker

Fixed Optical Drive —Accommodates a CD drive, DVD drive, CD-RW drive, and combination drives.
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S-Video TV-Out Connector
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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.
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Modem Connector
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Network Connector
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Connects your computer to a TV. Also connects digital audio capable devices using the TV/digital audio adapter cable. For more
information, see "Adding and Replacing Parts."
NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.
Connect the telephone line to the modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer. See "Finding Information."
NOTE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. Do not plug a telephone line into the network connector.
Connects the computer to a network. The light on the right flashes amber to indicate network activity. The light on the left turns
red/orange when the computer is connected to a 100-Mbps network; it turns green for a 10-Mbps network or a wireless card.
For information on using the network adapter, see the online network adapter documentation supplied with your computer. See
"Finding Information."

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Speaker —
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."
Right Side View
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Speaker —
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."
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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.
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Hard Drive —Reads and writes data on a hard disk.
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Infrared Sensor —The infrared sensor lets you transfer files from your computer to another infrared-compatible device without using cable connections.
1
speaker
5
PC Card slot
2
security cable slot
6
IEEE 1394 connector
3
hard drive bay
7
audio connectors
4
infrared sensor
8
air vents
NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.

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When you receive your computer, the infrared sensor is disabled. You can use the system setup program to enable the infrared sensor. For information on
transferring data, see Windows Help,the Windows Help and Support Center, or the documentation that came with your infrared-compatible device.
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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."
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IEEE 1394 Connector —Use this connector to attach devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as some digital cameras and video
cameras.
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Audio Connectors
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Attach a microphone to the connector.
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Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.
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Attach record/playback devices such as cassette players and CD players to the connector.
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Air Vents —The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.
Back View
NOTE: 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 fan or the computer.
CAUTION: Do not push objects into the air vents or openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior
components.

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AC Adapter Connector —Attach the 90-watt AC adapter to the computer.
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The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer either turned on or off.
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PS/2 Connector
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Video Connector
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NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before you disconnect an external device.
1
fans (2)
5
docking connector
2
AC adapter connector
6
parallel connector
3
PS/2 connector
7
serial connector
4
video connector
8
USB connectors (2)
NOTE: For best system performance, use only the 90-watt AC adapter supplied with the computer.
CAUTION: If you are using a multiple-outlet power strip, use caution when plugging the AC adapter's power cable into the power strip. Some
power strips may allow you to insert the plug incorrectly. Incorrect insertion of the power plug could result in permanent damage to your
computer, as well as risk of electric shock and/or fire. Ensure that the ground prong of the power plug is inserted into the mating ground contact
of the power strip.
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.
NOTE: You can use the integrated keyboard and an external keyboard at the same time. When you attach a keyboard or numeric keypad, the 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.
Connects an external monitor. See "Using the Display."

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Docking Connector
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Parallel Connector
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Serial Connector
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USB Connectors
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Bottom View
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NOTE: Docking devices may not be available in all 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.
For information on your computer's power requirements for docking, see "Docking Power Considerations."
See the documentation that came with your docking device for additional information.
Connects a parallel device, such as a printer.
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device.
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.