Dell Vostro A840 User manual

Vostro™ | A840/A860
Setup and
Quick Reference Guide
book.book Page 1 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

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.
Macrovision Product Notice
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.
_________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2008 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, Vostro, Wi-Fi Catcher, DellConnect, are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark
owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and is used by Dell under license; Intel, Pentium, Core, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in
the U.S. and other countries; Microsoft, Windows,Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start button logo are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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.
PP37L, PP38L
August 2008 P/N G514H Rev. A02
book.book Page 2 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Contents
3
Contents
About Your Computer. . . . . . . . 7
Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Right View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Left View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Battery Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Quick Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . 17
Setting Up Your Internet
Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Transferring Information to
a New Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . 33
Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . 33
System Messages . . . . . . . . . 40
Troubleshooting Software
and Hardware Problems . . . . . . 41
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . 42
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . 44
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . 44
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . 46
book.book Page 3 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Contents
4
Lockups and Software
Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Dell Technical Update Service . . . 49
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . 49
Reinstalling Software . . . . . . . 51
Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . 51
Reinstalling Drivers and
Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Restoring Your Operating System . . 54
Using Microsoft®Windows®
System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Using the Operating System
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Finding Information . . . . . . . . 59
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Obtaining Assistance. . . . . . . . . 63
Technical Support and Customer
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . 64
AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . . 65
Automated Order-Status
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Problems With Your Order . . . . . . 66
Product Information . . . . . . . . . 66
Returning Items for Warranty
Repair or Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
book.book Page 4 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Contents
5
Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
book.book Page 5 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Contents
6
book.book Page 6 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
7
About Your Computer
Front View DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS
The lights located on the palm rest towards the
front of the computer indicate the following:
1device status lights 2audio connectors
3touch pad
1
3
2
Power light – Turns on when you turn
on the computer, and blinks when
the computer is in a power
management mode.
Hard drive activity light – 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.
Battery status light – Turns on
steadily or blinks to indicate battery
charge status.
Wi-Fi status light – Turns on when
wireless networking is enabled.
book.book Page 7 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
8
AUDIO CONNECTORS
TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of
a mouse.
Right View
Attach headphones to the connector
Attach a microphone to the connector
1display 2keyboard status lights
3AC adapter
connector
4modem connector
5keyboard 6optical drive eject button
7optical drive light 8optical drive
2
3
1
6
7
8
54
book.book Page 8 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
9
DISPLAY — For more information on the display,
see Dell Technology Guide.
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS —
The lights located above the keyboard indicate the
following:
AC ADAPTER CONNECTOR — Attaches an
AC adapter to the computer. The AC adapter
converts AC power to the DC power required by the
computer. You can connect the AC adapter with
your computer turned on or off.
CAUTION: 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 the power strip or electrical outlet may
cause fire or equipment damage.
NOTE: Plug the power cord and the adapter
firmly in, and ensure that the light is on.
MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)
KEYBOARD — For more information on the
keyboard, see Dell Technology Guide.
OPTICAL DRIVE — For more information about
the optical drive, see Dell Technology Guide.
Turns on when the numeric keypad
is enabled.
Turns on when the uppercase letter
(caps lock) function is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock
function is enabled.
9
AConnects the telephone line
to the modem connector.
For information on using the
modem, see the online
modem documentation
supplied with your computer.
book.book Page 9 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
10
Left View PC CARD SLOT — Supports one PC Card, such
as a modem or network adapter. The computer
ships with a blank installed in the slot to prevent
foreign matter from entering the computer interior
when a card is not installed.
3-IN-1 MEDIA CARD READER — Provides
a fast and convenient way to view and share digital
photos, music, videos, and documents stored on the
following digital memory cards:
• Secure digital (SD) memory card
• Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card
• Multimedia card (MMC)
IEEE 1394ACONNECTOR — Connects
devices supporting IEEE 1394a high-speed transfer
rates, such as some digital video cameras.
USB CONNECTORS
1PC card slot 23-in-1 card reader slot
3IEEE 1394a
connector
4USB connectors (2)
5network connector 6VGA connector
7security cable slot 8air vents
1
2
4
7
8
5
6
3
Connect USB devices, such
as a mouse, keyboard, or
printer, and so on.
book.book Page 10 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
11
NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
VGA CONNECTOR
SECURITY CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach
a commercially available antitheft device to
the computer.
AIR VENTS — The computer uses an internal
fan to create airflow through the vents,
which prevents the computer from overheating.
The fan automatically turns on when the
computer gets hot.
Connects the computer to a
network. The two lights next to
the connector indicate status
and activity for wired network
connections.
For information on using the
network adapter, see the
device user’s guide supplied
with your computer.
Connects video devices, such
as a monitor.
book.book Page 11 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
12
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or
allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do
not store your Dell™ 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.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.
Battery Removal
CAUTION: Before working inside your
computer, read the safety information that
shipped with your computer. For additional
safety best practices information, see the
Regulatory Compliance Homepage at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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 battery is
designed to work with your Dell™ computer.
Do not use a battery from other computers
with your computer.
CAUTION: Before removing or replacing the
battery, turn off the computer, disconnect the
AC adapter from the electrical outlet and the
computer, disconnect the modem from the
wall connector and computer, and remove
any other external cables from the computer.
book.book Page 12 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
13
To remove the battery:
1Ensure that the computer is turned off.
2Slide the two release latches on the bottom
of the computer, and then remove the battery
from the bay.
To replace the battery, slide the battery into the bay
until it clicks into place.
1battery 2battery release latches (2)
1
2
book.book Page 13 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

About Your Computer
14
book.book Page 14 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Quick Setup
15
Quick Setup
CAUTION: Before working inside your
computer, read the safety information that
shipped with your computer. For additional
safety best practices information, see the
Regulatory Compliance Homepage at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: 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 the power
strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or
equipment damage.
NOTICE: When you disconnect the
AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp
the connector, not the cable itself, and pull
firmly but gently to avoid damaging the
cable. When you wrap the AC adapter cable,
ensure that you follow the angle of the
connector on the AC adapter to avoid
damaging the cable.
NOTE: Some devices may not be included if
you did not order them.
book.book Page 15 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Quick Setup
16
1Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter
connector on the computer and to the
electrical outlet.
2Connect the network cable.
3Connect USB devices, such as a mouse
or keyboard.
book.book Page 16 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Quick Setup
17
4Open the computer display and press the
power button to turn on the computer.
NOTE: It is recommended that you turn on
and shut down your computer at least once
before you install any cards or connect the
computer to a docking device or other
external device, such as a printer.
5Connect to the Internet. See "Connecting to
the Internet" on page 17 for more information.
Connecting to the Internet
NOTE: Internet Service Provider(s) (ISP) and
ISP offerings vary by country.
To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or
network connection and an ISP. If you are using
a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to
the modem connector on your computer 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 phone service for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
NOTE: The instructions in this section are for
computers with Windows Vista®operating
system only.
book.book Page 17 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Quick Setup
18
To set up an Internet connection with a desktop
shortcut provided by your ISP:
1Save and close any open files, and exit any
open programs.
2Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft®
Windows®desktop.
3Follow the instructions on the screen to
complete the setup.
If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop
or if you want to set up an Internet connection
with a different ISP, perform the steps in the
section below.
NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet,
see the Dell Technology Guide. If you have
successfully connected in the past, the ISP
might have a service outage. Contact your
ISP to check the service status, or try
connecting again later.
NOTE: Have your ISP information ready.
If you do not have an ISP, consult the
Connect to the Internet wizard.
Microsoft®Windows Vista®Operating
System
1Save and close any open files, and exit any
open programs.
2Click the Windows Vista Start button →
Control Panel
3Under Network and Internet, click Connect
to the Internet.
4In the Connect to the Internet window, click
either Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up,
depending on how you want to connect:
• Choose Broadband if you will use
a DSL, satellite modem, cable TV
modem, or Bluetooth wireless
technology connection.
• Choose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up
modem or ISDN.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of
connection to select, click Help me choose
or contact your ISP.
book.book Page 18 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Quick Setup
19
5Follow the instructions on the screen and
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
Transferring Information to a New
Computer
NOTE: The instructions in this section are for
computers with Windows Vista operating
system installed.
1Click the Windows Vista Start button ,
and then click Transfer files and settings→
Start Windows Easy Transfer.
2In the User Account Control dialog box, click
Continue.
3Click Start a new transfer or Continue
a transfer in progress.
4Follow the instructions provided on the
screen by the Windows Easy Transfer
wizard.
book.book Page 19 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

Quick Setup
20
book.book Page 20 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM