Dell Latitude D510 User manual

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Dell™ Latitude™ D510
Quick Reference Guide
Model PP17L

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 User’s Guide (depending on your operating system,
double-click the
User’s Guide icon on your desktop or click the Start button, click Help and Support Center ,
and click
User and system guides ).
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating systems are not applicable.
NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or in certain countries.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Latitude are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks
of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
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.
Model PP17L
February 2005 P/N G8936 Rev. A00

Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Checking the Battery Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Microsoft®Windows®Power Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Charge Gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Health Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Low-Battery Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Removing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installing a Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Storing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Left View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Right View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Back View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Notebook System Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Running the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4Contents

Quick Reference Guide 5
Finding Information
NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or in certain countries.
NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
• My computer documentation
• My device documentation
• Notebook System Software (NSS)
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD)
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your
computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers, run the
Dell Diagnostics, or access your documentation. For more
information, see your User’s Guide.
Readme files may be
included on your CD to
provide last-minute
updates about technical
changes to your
computer or advanced
technical-reference
material for technicians
or experienced users.
NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at
support.dell.com.
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not
ship with your computer.
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide

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• How to remove and replace parts
• Specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
User’s Guide
Access Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP Help and Support
Center two ways:
• Double-click the User’s Guide icon on your desktop
OR:
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support .
2 Click User’s and system guides and click User’s guides .
The User’s Guide is also available on the optional
Drivers and Utilities CD .
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
These labels are located on
the bottom of your computer.
• Use the Service Tag to
identify your
computer when you
use
support.dell.com
or contact
technical support.
• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when
contacting technical support.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

Quick Reference Guide 7
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles
from technicians, online courses, frequently
asked questions
• Community — Online discussion with other
Dell customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such
as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system
• Customer Care — Contact information, service call and
order status, warranty, and repair information
• Service and support — Service call status and support
history, service contract, online discussions with
technical support
• Reference — Computer documentation, details on my
computer configuration, product specifications, and
white papers
• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and
software updates
• Notebook System Software (NSS) — If you reinstall the
operating system for your computer, you should also
reinstall the NSS utility. NSS provides critical updates
for your operating system and support for
Dell™ 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel
®
Pentium
®
M
processors, optical drives, and USB devices. NSS is
necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.
The software automatically detects your computer and
operating system and installs the updates appropriate
for your configuration.
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate
support site.
NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers
can also use the customized Dell Premier Support website
at premier.support.dell.com.The website may not be
available in all regions.
• How to use Windows XP
• Documentation for my computer
• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)
Windows Help and Support Center
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support .
2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and
click the arrow icon.
3 Click the topic that describes your problem.
4 Follow the instructions on the screen.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

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• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD
The operating system is already installed on your
computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the
Operating System CD. See your Latitude User’s Guide
for instructions.
After you reinstall your
operating system, use the
Drivers and Utilities CD
to reinstall drivers for the
devices that came with
your computer.
Your operating system
product key label
is located on
your computer.
NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating
system you ordered.
NOTE: The Operating System CD is optional and may not
ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

Quick Reference Guide 9
Setting Up Your Computer
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
1 Unpack the accessories box.
2 Set aside the contents of the accessories box, which you will need to complete the setup of
your computer.
The accessories box also contains user documentation and any software or additional
hardware (such as PC Cards, drives, or batteries) that you have ordered.
3 Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter connector on the computer and to the
electrical outlet.

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4 Open the computer display and press the power button to turn on the computer.
NOTE: Do not connect the computer to the docking device until the computer has been turned on and
shut down at least once.
Battery Performance
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or
separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer.
power button

Quick Reference Guide 11
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell™
portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. Use a battery to run the computer
when it is not connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in
the battery bay.
NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending
on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a
new battery during the life of your computer.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. You can install an optional
second battery in the module bay to significantly increase operating time. For more information
about the second battery, see your
User’s Guide .
Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to,
the following:
• Using optical drives, such as DVD and CD drives
• Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, or USB devices
• Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs
such as 3D games
• Running the computer in maximum performance mode
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a
CD or DVD.
You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the computer. You can also set
power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low.
CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the
battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The lithium-ion battery is designed to work
with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.
CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a
charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion
battery. See "Battery Disposal" in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture,
incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures above 65°C (149°F). Keep the battery
away from children. Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may
leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage.

12 Quick Reference Guide
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Checking the Battery Charge
The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
Power Meter window and icon,
the battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the
battery charge.
For more information about checking the charge on the second battery, see your
User’s Guide .
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter
If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <Fn><F3> to display the QuickSet Battery Meter.
The
Battery Meter window displays status, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery
in your computer.
NOTE: You can use your docking device to charge a computer battery. However, a battery in a docking
device does not power the docking device or computer.
In addition, when your computer is connected to a docking device (docked), the Battery Meter
window includes a
Dock Battery tab, which displays the charge level and current status of the
docking device battery.
The following icons appear in the
Battery Meter window:
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click
Help .
Microsoft®Windows®Power Meter
The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter,
double-click the icon on the taskbar. For more information about the
Power Meter tab, see
your
User’s Guide .
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.
• The computer or docking device is running on battery power.
• The battery is discharging or idle.
• The computer or docking device is connected to an electrical outlet and
running on AC power.
• The battery is charging.
• The computer or docking device is connected to an electrical outlet and
running on AC power.
• The battery is fully charged.

Quick Reference Guide 13
Charge Gauge
Before you insert a battery, press the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate the
charge-level lights. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For
example, if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights
appear, the battery has no charge.
Health Gauge
The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. After
hundreds of charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose some charge capacity, or battery health. To
check the battery health, press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least
3 seconds. If no lights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its
original charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental degradation. If five lights
appear, less than 60 percent of the charge capacity remains, and you should consider replacing the
battery. See your
User’s Guide for more information about the battery operating time.

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Low-Battery Warning
NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning.
Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet, or install a second battery in the module bay. If the
battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.
A low-battery warning occurs when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. The
computer beeps once, indicating that minimal battery operating time remains. During that time,
the speaker beeps periodically. If two batteries are installed, the low-battery warning means that the
combined charge of both batteries is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer enters
hibernate mode when the battery charge is at a critically low level. For more information about
low-battery alarms, see your
User’s Guide .
Charging the Battery
NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 1 hour with the
computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the
computer as long as you like. The battery’s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.
When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is
connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge and temperature. If
necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.
If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, the battery
may not charge when you connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
The battery is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately green and orange.
Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and allow the computer and the battery to cool
to room temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging
the battery.
For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see your
User’s Guide .

Quick Reference Guide 15
Removing a Battery
CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.
For information about removing the second battery, see your User’s Guide .
1 Ensure that the computer is turned off, suspended in a power management mode
(Hibernation mode), or connected to an electrical outlet.
2 If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation
that came with your docking device for instructions.
3 Slide and hold the battery-bay (or module-bay) latch release on the bottom of the computer,
and then remove the battery from the bay.
Installing a Battery
Slide the battery into the bay until the latch release clicks.
For information about installing the second battery, see your
User’s Guide .
Storing a Battery
Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery
discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, charge the battery fully before
you use it.

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About Your Computer
Front View
display
touch pad
power button
keyboard
keyboard status lights
touch pad buttons
device status lights
speakers (2)
display latch

Quick Reference Guide 17
Left View
Right View
PC Card slot
audio connectors (2)
security cable slot
infrared sensor
IEEE 1394 Connector
hard drive
module bay device device latch release
USB connectors (2)

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Back View
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store
your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting
the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.
Bottom View
air vent
USB connectors (2)
modem connector (RJ-11)
network connector (RJ-45)
S-video TV-out connector
parallel connector
serial connector
video connector
AC adapter connector
fan
battery
docking device slot
communications
cover
memory module cover battery-bay latch release
hard drive

Quick Reference Guide 19
Solving Problems
Notebook System Software
Notebook System Software (NSS) is a utility that provides critical updates for your operating
system. Install the Notebook System Software program to gain support for Dell 3.5-inch USB
floppy drives, Intel
®
Pentium
®
M processors, Intel Celeron
®
M processors, optical drives, and USB
devices. NSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.
NOTICE: NSS is critical for the correct operation of USB devices, including the Dell D/Bay, D/Dock,
D/Port, and D/View devices.
Lockups and Software Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
The computer does not start up
The computer stops responding
NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.
A program stops responding
ENSURE THAT THE AC ADAPTER IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
TURN THE COMPUTER OFF —If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or
moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer
turns off. Then restart your computer.
END THE PROGRAM —
1 Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously.
2 Click Applications .
3 Click the program that is no longer responding.
4 Click End Task .

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A program crashes repeatedly
NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD.
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system
A solid blue screen appears
Other software problems
CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION —If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
IFYOU ARE USING WINDOWS XP, RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD —
The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so it runs in an environment similar to
non-Windows XP operating system environments.
1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs → Accessories , and then click
Program Compatibility Wizard .
2 In the welcome screen, click Next .
3 Follow the instructions on the screen.
TURN THE COMPUTER OFF —If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or
moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer
turns off. Then restart your computer.
CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR
TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION —
• Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer.
• Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See
the software documentation for information.
• Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly.
• Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.
• If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY
USE AVIRUS-SCANNING PROGRAM TO CHECK THE HARD DRIVE, FLOPPY DISKS, OR CDS