Dell Networking 8100 Series User manual

Dell Inspiron 8100
Dell™ Inspiron™ 8100
A Tour of Your Computer
Power Conservation
Solving Problems
System Specifications
Reinstalling Software
System Setup Program
Ports and Connector Pin-Outs
Removing and Replacing Parts
Hints, Notices, and Cautions
HINT: A HINT 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 Tell Me How help file (click
the Start button on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop, point to Programs—>
User's Guides, and click Tell Me How).
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Dell Inspiron 8100
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, Dell TravelLite, Inspiron, AccessDirect, and TrueMobile are
trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks; GeForce2 Go is
a trademark of NVIDIA 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 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.
August 2001
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Back to Contents Page
A Tour of Your Computer
Dell™ Inspiron™ 8100
Front View
Left Side View
Right Side View
Back View
Front View
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Display Latch
This latch keeps the display locked in place when the display is closed.
Display
The computer has a color LCD.
Device Status Lights
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
The lights below the display indicate the following:
●The light labeled turns on when the computer is turned on and blinks when
the computer is in standby mode.
●The light labeled turns on when the computer reads data from or writes
data to the hard drive.
●The light labeled turns on steadily or blinks to indicate the battery charge
status. Indicator states include:
❍Off, which indicates that the computer is operating on an adequately
charged battery or that the computer is turned off
❍Flashing green, which indicates that the battery is fully charged
❍Solid green, which indicates that the battery is charging
❍Flashing orange, which indicates that the battery charge is low
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
❍Solid orange, which indicates that the battery charge is critically low
NOTICE: To avoid data loss, never turn off the computer while the green light
labeled is flashing.
Air Intake
HINT: The computer turns on the fans only when the computer gets hot. They
may run most of the time or very seldom, depending on your use of the
computer. Because the fans spin at a high rate of speed, they may make a
noise. This noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fans or the
computer.
The fans work with the air intakes to prevent the computer from overheating. When
the computer gets hot, the small internal fans turn on and draw air through the air
intakes to cool the computer. Hot air is expelled through the fan exhausts.
CAUTION: Do not push objects into or block the air intakes. Doing so
can cause fire or damage the interior components. Keep the openings
free from dust and other foreign particles.
Keyboard Status Lights
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
●The light labeled turns on when you press to enable the numeric
keypad.
●The light labeled turns on when you press to enable the
uppercase letter function.
●The light labeled turns on when you press to enable the scroll
lock function.
Track Stick
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
The track stick detects the pressure and movement of your finger for moving the
cursor on the display and, along with the track stick buttons, provides full mouse
functionality.
Touch Pad
The touch pad detects the position of your finger over a touch-sensitive area and
provides the computer with full mouse functionality.
Battery Bay
With a charged battery in this bay, you can use the computer without plugging it in to
an electrical outlet.
Media Bay
You can install devices such as a CD drive, DVD drive, CD-RW and CD-R drive, second
battery, or Dell TravelLite™ travel module in the media bay.
Touch Pad/Track Stick Buttons
These buttons correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard mouse.
Keyboard
The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo
key that supports the Windows operating systems.
Power Button
HINT: To turn off your computer, perform a Windows shutdown.
Press the power button to turn on the computer or to initiate standby mode.
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer
turns off completely (this may take several seconds).
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Microphone
The internal microphone allows you to record voice audio.
Volume Control Buttons
Increase or decrease the speaker volume with the volume control buttons. You can
also change the speaker volume using key combinations:
●To increase the volume press, the <Fn> and the <Page Up> keys.
●To decrease the volume, press the <Fn> and the <Page Dn> keys.
●To enable or disable (mute) the integrated stereo speakers or external speakers,
press both of the volume control buttons simultaneously.
HINT: If no sound comes from the speakers, press <Fn> and <End> and check
the volume control buttons to make sure that the sound is not disabled.
When you mute music, the computer may take a moment to respond.
Dell™ AccessDirect™ Buttons
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
HINT: To launch the Dell Solution Center, the computer must be turned on and
functioning properly.
1Press this button to launch the Dell Solution Center, where you can find support
and educational tools that Dell has installed on your computer.
2Press this button to launch your default Internet browser.
3Press this button to launch http://www.dell.com, or reprogram the button to
launch a program of your choice.
4Press this button to open your default e-mail program, or reprogram the button to
launch a program of your choice.
You can also reprogram the button scheme to control CD or DVD player functions.
Left Side View
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Security Cable Slot
The slots (one on each side of the computer) let you attach a commercially available
antitheft device to the computer. Complete instructions for installing antitheft devices
are usually included with the device.
NOTICE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before you buy one, make
sure it will work with the security cable slot in the computer.
Speakers
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Your computer has integrated speakers. Press the volume control buttons to adjust
the speaker volume.
S-Video TV-Out Connector
Use this connector to connect your computer to a television. If you
have a TV/digital audio adapter cable, you can also connect
composite video cables and S/PDIF devices to this connector.
Fixed Optical Drive
Your computer supports a CD drive, DVD drive, or CD-RW drive.
Right Side View
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Audio Connectors
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
●Attach record/playback devices such as a cassette player or CD player to the
connector.
●Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.
●Attach a microphone to the connector.
IEEE 1394 Connector
Use this connector to attach IEEE 1394-compatible devices such as a
digital camera to your computer.
Infrared Sensor
The infrared sensor lets you transfer files from the computer to another infrared
device without using cable connections.
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
HINT: The infrared sensor does not function when the computer is connected to
a port replicator.
Hard Drive
The hard drive reads and writes data on a hard disk.
Modem Connector
If you ordered the optional internal modem, use this connector to plug
in the telephone connector.
Network Connector
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
If you ordered the optional integrated network adapter, use this
connector to connect the computer to a network.
Security Cable Slot
The slots (one on each side of the computer) let you attach a commercially available
antitheft device to the computer. Complete instructions for installing antitheft devices
are usually included with the device.
NOTICE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before you buy one, make
sure it works with the security cable slot in the computer.
PC Card Slot
The PC Card slot has two connectors that support various types of PC Cards, including
modems and network adapters.
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Back View
Fan Exhausts
HINT: The computer turns on the fan only when the computer gets hot. It may
run most of the time or very seldom, depending on your use of the computer.
Because the fan spins at a high rate of speed, it may make a noise. This noise is
normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer.
The fan works with the air intake to prevent the computer from overheating. When
the computer gets hot, the small internal fan turns on and draws air through the air
intake to cool the computer. Hot air is expelled through the fan exhaust.
CAUTION: Do not push objects into or block the air intake. Doing so can
cause fire or damage interior components. Keep the opening free from
dust and other foreign particles.
AC Adapter Connector
Use this connector to attach an AC adapter to the computer.
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
HINT: Although the AC adapter works worldwide, power connectors vary among
countries. Before using the AC adapter in a foreign country, you may need to
obtain a new power cable designed for use with the electrical outlets in that
country.
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.
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.
Parallel Connector
Use this connector to attach a parallel device, such as a printer, to
the computer.
USB Connectors
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A Tour of Your Computer : Dell Inspiron 8100
Use these connectors to attach USB-compatible devices such as a
mouse, keyboard, printer, or scanner to your computer.
Serial Connector
Use this connector to attach a serial device to the computer.
HINT: The port replicator may not be available in certain countries. Refer to the
documentation that came with your port replicator for instructions on attaching
external devices to the port replicator and connecting your computer to it.
Docking Connector
Use this connector to attach your computer to the optional port
replicator. A port replicator allows you to easily use an external
keyboard, mouse, and monitor with your computer. An advanced
port replicator also includes a network connector for connecting
your computer to a network.
Video Connector
Use this connector to attach an external monitor to the computer.
PS/2 Connector
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Use this connector to attach PS/2-compatible devices such as a
mouse, keyboard, or external numeric keypad to your computer.
Back to Contents Page
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