Dell XPS 15 User manual

SETUP GUIDE

SETUP GUIDE
Regulatory model: P11F Regulatory type: P11F003

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your
computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and
tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or
death.
If you purchased a Dell™n Series computer, any references in this document to the Microsoft®Windows®operating systems are
not applicable.
This item incorporates copy protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights of
Rovi Corporation. Reverse engineering and disassembly are prohibited.
__________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2010 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, XPS™, and DellConnect™ are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel®and Centrino®
are registered trademarks and Core™ is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries; Microsoft®, Windows®,
and the Windows start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries; Blu‑ray Disc™ is a trademark of the Blu‑ray Disc Association; Bluetooth®is a registered
trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.
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.
December 2010 P/N 10KJ6 Rev. A00

3
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop . . . . . . . .7
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . 7
Connect the AC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connect the Network Cable
(Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Press the Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Set Up Microsoft Windows . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Create System Recovery Media
(Recommended). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Install the SIM Card (Optional) . . . . . . . . 14
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional). . . 16
Set Up Wireless Display (Optional) . . . . . 18
Set Up the TV Tuner (Optional) . . . . . . . . 19
Set Up 3D TV (Optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Connect to the Internet (Optional). . . . .22
Using Your XPS Laptop. . . . . . . . . . . 24
Right View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Left View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Front View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Back View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Computer Base and Keyboard Features 32
Status Lights and Indicators. . . . . . . . . . .36
Disabling Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Touch Pad Gestures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Multimedia Control Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Control Strip Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Using the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Contents

4
Contents
Touch Screen Gestures (Optional) . . . . .48
Removing and Replacing the Battery . . .50
Software Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Dell DataSafe Online Backup. . . . . . . . . . 53
Dell Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
NVIDIA Optimus Technology
(Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
NVIDIA 3DTV Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Free Fall Sensor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Beep Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Touch Screen Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . .68
Using Support Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
My Dell Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Hardware Troubleshooter . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Restoring Your Operating
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
System Restore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Dell DataSafe Local Backup. . . . . . . . . . . 79
System Recovery Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . .82
Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Technical Support and Customer
Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
DellConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Online Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

5
Contents
Automated Order‑Status Service . . . . . .88
Product Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Returning Items for Repair Under
Warranty or for Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Before You Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Contacting Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Finding More Information and
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Macrovision Product Notice . . . . . . . . . 103
Information for NOM, or Official
Mexican Standard (Only for Mexico). . .104
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

6
Contents

7
This section provides information about
setting up your Dell XPS laptop.
Before Setting Up Your
Computer
When positioning your computer, ensure that
you allow easy access to a power source,
adequate ventilation, and a level surface to
place your computer.
Restricting airflow around your laptop may
cause it to overheat. To prevent overheating
ensure that you leave a minimum of 5.1 cm
(2inches) on the right and left sides. You
should never place your computer in an
enclosed space, such as a cabinet or drawer
while it is powered on.
WARNING: Do not block, push objects
into, or allow dust to accumulate in
the air vents. Do not place your Dell
computer in a low-airflow environment,
such as a closed briefcase, or on fabric
surfaces, such as carpets or rugs, while
it is powered on. Restricting the airflow
can damage the computer, deteriorate
the computer performance, 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.
CAUTION: Placing or stacking heavy
or sharp objects on the computer may
result in permanent damage to the
computer.
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop

8
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Connect the AC Adapter
Connect the AC adapter to the computer and then plug it into an electrical outlet or surge
protector.
WARNING: 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 a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or
permanent damage to your computer.

9
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
To use a wired network connection, connect the network cable.

10
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Press the Power Button

11
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Set Up Microsoft Windows
Your Dell computer is preconfigured with the Microsoft Windows operating system. To set up
Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are mandatory
and may take some time to complete. The Windows setup screens will take you through several
procedures including accepting license agreements, setting preferences, and setting up an
Internet connection.
CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing so may render
your computer unusable and you will need to reinstall the operating system.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you download
and install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer available at support.dell.com.
NOTE: For more information on the operating system and features, go to
support.dell.com/MyNewDell.

12
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Create System Recovery Media (Recommended)
NOTE: It is recommended that you create a system recovery media as soon as you set up
Microsoft Windows.
The system recovery media can be used to restore your computer to the operating state it
was in when you purchased the computer, while preserving data files (without the need of the
Operating System disc). You can use the system recovery media if changes to the hardware,
software, drivers, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating
state.
You will require the following to create the system recovery media:
•Dell DataSafe Local Backup
•USB key with a minimum capacity of 8 GB or DVD‑R/DVD+R/Blu‑ray Disc
NOTE: Dell DataSafe Local Backup does not support rewritable discs.

13
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
To create a system recovery media:
1. Ensure that the AC adapter is connected (see “Connect the AC Adapter” on page 8).
2. Insert the disc or USB key in the computer.
3. Click Start → All Programs→Dell DataSafe Local Backup.
4. Click Create Recovery Media.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.
NOTE: For information on restoring your operating system using the system recovery
media, see “System Recovery Media” on page 81.

14
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Install the SIM Card (Optional)
NOTE: Installing a SIM card is not required if you are using an EVDO card to access the
Internet.
NOTE: Installing a mini B‑CAS card into the SIM card slot is required to set up and view
ISDB‑T digital TV in Japan.
Installing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card on your computer allows you to connect to
the Internet. To access the Internet you must be within the network of your cellular service
provider.
To install the SIM card:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Remove the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page 50).
3. In the battery bay, slide the SIM card into the SIM card slot.
4. Replace the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page 50).
5. Turn on your computer.
To remove the SIM card, press and eject the SIM card.

15
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
1battery bay
2SIM card slot
3SIM card
12
3

16
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)

17
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
To enable or disable wireless:
1. Ensure that your computer is turnedon.
2. Press the <Fn><F2> keys on the keyboard.
The current status of the wireless radios appears on the screen.
Wireless enabled
Wireless disabled
3. Press the <Fn><F2> keys again to switch between the wireless enabled or disabled states.
NOTE: Pressing the <Fn><F2> keys allows you to quickly turn off wireless radios (Wi‑Fi and
Bluetooth), such as when you are asked to disable all wireless radios on an airplane flight.

18
Setting Up Your XPS Laptop
Set Up Wireless Display
(Optional)
NOTE: The wireless display feature may
not be supported on all computers. For
information about the hardware and
software requirements for setting up
wireless display, go to intel.com.
The Intel wireless display feature allows
you to share your computer display to a TV
without the use of cables. You must connect
a wireless display adapter to your TV before
setting up wireless display.
NOTE: The wireless display adapter does
not ship with your computer and must be
purchased separately.
If your computer supports the wireless display
feature, the Intel Wireless Display icon will
be available on the Windows desktop.
To set up wireless display:
1. Turn on your computer.
2. Ensure that wireless is enabled (see “Enable
or Disable Wireless” on page 16).
3. Connect the wireless display adapter to
theTV.
4. Turn on the TV.
5. Select the appropriate video source
for your TV, such as HDMI1, HDMI2, or
S‑Video.
6. Double‑click the Intel Wireless Display
icon on the desktop.
The Intel Wireless Display window
appears.
7. Select Scan for available displays.
8. Select your wireless display adapter from
the Detected wireless displays list.
9. Enter the security code that appears on
yourTV.