Me and My Dell For Inspiron, G-Series, XPS, and Alienware computers May 2020 Rev.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. 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. © 2011-2021 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Chapter 1: Setting up your computer...................................................................................................... 7 Connecting to the internet...................................................................................................................................................7 Connecting to the internet using LAN...........................................................................................................................
System board......................................................................................................................................................................20 Chipset................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Processor.......................................................................................................................................
Digital Visual Interface....................................................................................................................................................... 37 DisplayPort..........................................................................................................................................................................37 HDMI.................................................................................................................................................
Configuring the power button behavior..................................................................................................................... 56 Dell Power Manager.....................................................................................................................................................56 Improving battery life........................................................................................................................................................
Setting up your computer The setup procedure varies according to your computer. For setup instructions specific to your computer or tablet, see the Quick Start Guide shipped with your computer or see the Setup and Specifications at www.dell.com/support. Connecting to the internet You can connect your computer to the internet using cable, DSL, dial‑up, or a WWAN connection. You may also install a wired or wireless router to share your cable or DSL internet connection with multiple devices.
NOTE: Enter the network password, if prompted. You may have configured the network key while setting up the router or the router may have a default network key. For details, contact the router manufacturer. 4. Turn on or off file sharing (optional). Connecting to the internet using WWAN WWAN connection does not require a modem or a router to allow your laptop or tablet to connect to the internet. The WWAN card on your computer connects directly to the service provider’s network, like your mobile phone.
Configuring 5.1 and 7.1 audio Configure your computer to provide multi-channel audio output. Windows 10 and 8.1 1. Type Audio in the search box. NOTE: In Windows 10, click or tap the search icon to access the search box. In Windows 8.1, access the search charm to access the search box. 2. Click or tap Manage audio devices. 3. Under the Playback tab, click or tap Speakers or Headphones. 4. Click or tap Configure and click or tap Test. You should hear a tone from each speaker. 5.
7. Rear audio connector on the speaker Connecting 7.1 speakers 1. 3. 5. 7. 9. Rear audio connector on the computer Side audio connector on the computer 7.1 channel audio cable Front audio connector on the speaker Side audio connector on the speaker 2. 4. 6. 8. Center/LFE surround out on the computer Front audio connector on the computer Center/LFE surround out on the speaker Rear audio connector on the speaker Setting up your printer You can connect a printer to the USB port on your computer.
Windows 7 1. Click Start > Devices and Printers. 2. Click Add a Printer. The Add Printer window appears. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. NOTE: You may be prompted to install the printer driver while adding your printer. Use the printer-driver media, or download the drivers from the printer manufacturer’s website. For more information on setting up the printer, see the documentation shipped with your printer.
● Duplicate (also called Clone mode)—Show the entire desktop on both displays. The second or other monitors mirror the primary monitor. ● Extend—Stretch the desktop across the two displays. The desktop screen of your PC is extended across all the detected monitors and enables you to have a desktop screen that spans across all monitors. ● Second Screen only—Use only display 2 and show nothing on display 1. The primary monitor will be disabled and only the second monitor will be used.
About your computer This section provides more information on the components which can be found in your computer. Power adapter Power adapters are used to supply power to portable computers, tablets, and certain desktop computers. The Dell power-adapter kit consists of the power adapter and the power cable. The power‑adapter rating (90 W, 65 W, and so on) depends on the device it is designed for, and the power cable varies based on the country where the power adapter is shipped.
the coin-cell battery can last for several years. Factors affecting the coin‑cell battery life are the type of system board, temperature, the time for which the computer is powered off, and so on. Touchpad A touchpad is available on most laptops and provides the functionality of a mouse. It has a touch-sensitive surface that senses the motion and position of your fingers. You can use the touchpad to move the cursor, drag or move selected items, and click by tapping the surface.
Camera Webcam The webcam enables you to video chat, capture photos, and record videos. 3D camera You can use a 3D camera to capture and stream 3-dimensional images, making it possible to perceive distance, size, dimensions of objects through the built-in sensors. This feature enables enhanced interactivity during video conferencing, online gaming, and so on.
Keyboard backlight The backlight present on some physical keyboards illuminate the symbols on the keys for using the keyboard in dark environments. You can turn on the backlight manually or configure the backlight to turn on automatically when your computer is placed in a dark environment. The backlit keyboards on Dell laptops have different lighting states. Press the Fn and the right-arrow key to switch between the various lighting states.
Keyboard connection types Keyboards can be connected to your computer with a cable (wired) or using wireless signals (wireless). Wired Wired keyboards are connected to the computer using a cable (generally USB) and do not require additional power source, such as batteries. Wireless Wireless keyboards use Radio Frequency (RF) or Bluetooth (BT) to connect to your computer.
Storage device Storage devices allow you to store data for later use. Storage devices can be internal or external. Most storage devices store data until you manually delete the data. Examples of storage devices are hard‑disk drives (HDD), solid‑state drives (SSD), optical-disc drives, flash drives, and so on. Internal storage devices Internal storage devices are installed on your computer and generally cannot be removed while the computer is turned on.
Table 1.
Table 1. Examples of common types of memory cards (continued) Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick (MS)/Memory Stick Pro (MS Pro) Smart Media/Smart Media XD Memory module A memory module stores temporary data that your computer needs to perform tasks. Any file or application loads in the memory modules before you can open or use them. Memory modules are categorized based on their capacity (in GB) and speed (in MHz).
Chipset The chipset controls the components on the system board and enables communication between various components. Generally, the chipset is part of the system board. However, with some new generation processors, the chipset may be integrated in the processor. Processor Processors receive data and instructions from applications and process the data as requested by the software. Processors are designed specifically for desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and so on.
Thermal grease Thermal grease, also called thermal gel or thermal compound, is used to create a heat-inductive layer between a processor and heat sink. Applying thermal grease between the processor and heat sink increases the heat transfer from the processor to the heat sink, as the thermal grease has better conductivity than air. Video card Video cards process graphics data and send video output to a display device such as a monitor or projector.
TV tuners are mostly standalone, however some video cards also have built-in TV tuners. For more information on using TV tuners, see the documentation for the TV tuner. Speakers Laptops and tablets have built-in speakers for audio output. Desktops also have a built-in speaker. However, they are used only to produce beeps to indicate errors or failures. You can also connect external speakers to your computer or tablet. Speakers may support 3.
7.1 Audio 7.1 refers to the number of audio channels in high-end surround-sound configurations. A 7.1 audio system uses two additional speakers (rear left and rear right) in combination with the 5.1 audio system. For more information on setting up audio, see Setting up audio. Webcam A webcam enables you to capture videos and photos, and can also be used for video calls. Your display may have a built-in webcam or you can connect external webcam to your computer.
Router A router is a device that forwards data between computer networks. The most familiar type of routers are home and small office routers that allow you to share your internet connection between multiple devices at the same time. Routers can be wired or wireless. A wired router allows you to connect your computer using a Ethernet (RJ45) cable. Most wired home routers have four ports allowing you to connect up to four computers to the internet at the same time.
Using your computer Charging the battery Connect the power adapter to your computer or tablet to charge the battery. The battery gets charged when the computer or tablet is in use or turned off. The internal circuitry of the battery prevents it from overcharging. NOTE: If the battery becomes too hot due to being in a hot environment, it may not charge when you connect the power adapter. Allow the battery to cool down for it to resume charging.
Table 2. List of keyboard shortcuts (continued) Ctrl and x Cut a selected item. Ctrl and v Paste a selected item. Ctrl and z Undo an action. Ctrl and a Select all items in a document or window. Ctrl and F4 Close the active window (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously). Ctrl, Alt and Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between open items. Alt and Tab Switch between open applications. Alt and Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened.
Table 3. List of keyboard shortcuts (continued) Windows key and f Open the Search charm to search files on your computer. Windows key and h Open the Search charm. Windows key and i Open the Settings charm. Windows key and j Switch between the main app and snapped app. Windows key and k Open the Devices charm. Windows key and o Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape). Windows key and q Open the Search charm to search apps on your computer.
Windows 7 1. 2. 3. 4. Click Start > Control Panel. If your Control Panel is displayed by Category, click the View by: drop-down menu and select Small icons or Large icons. Click Keyboard. Adjust the keyboard settings you want to change and click OK to save the settings and close the window. Using numeric keypad on a laptop 1. Numeric keypad Your laptop may have a numeric keypad integrated into the keyboard. The keypad corresponds to the keypad on an extended keyboard.
Table 4. List of touchpad gestures Scroll Pan—Move the focus on the selected object when the entire object is not visible. Move two fingers in the desired direction to pan scroll the selected object. Vertical Auto‑Scroll—Scroll up or down on the active window. Move two fingers up or down at a fast pace to start vertical auto‑scroll. Tap on the touchpad to stop auto‑scroll. Horizontal Auto‑Scroll—Scroll left or right on the active window.
Table 4. List of touchpad gestures (continued) NOTE: Use the touchpad configuration tool to choose the application to be launched. Using your touch screen NOTE: Avoid using the touch screen in dusty, hot, or humid environments. NOTE: Sudden change in temperature may cause condensation on the inner surface of the screen. This does not affect normal usage and disappears after the computer is kept on for at least 48 hours.
Table 5. List of touch screen gestures (continued) Flick Move a finger quickly in the desired direction to flip through content in the active window like pages in a book. Flick also works vertically when navigating content such as images or songs in a playlist Rotate Rotate clockwise—Keeping a finger or thumb in place, move the other finger in an arched direction to the right. Rotate counter-clockwise—Keeping a finger or thumb in place, move the other finger in an arched direction to the left.
Table 5. List of touch screen gestures (continued) Scroll Horizontal–Scroll right or left on the active window. Move a finger to the right or left to start horizontal scrolling. Using Bluetooth You can connect (pair) Bluetooth devices such as mice, keyboard, headsets, phones, TV, and so on. For details on pairing the device with your computer, see the documentation of the device. NOTE: Ensure that you have Bluetooth drivers installed on your computer.
Windows 7 1. Enable Bluetooth on your computer or tablet and the device you are pairing. On a Dell laptop, turn on wireless to enable Bluetooth. NOTE: For information to turn on Bluetooth on your device, see the documentation shipped with your device. 2. Click Start > Control Panel. 3. In the Control Panel search box, type Bluetooth, and then click Change Bluetooth settings. 4.
Ports and connectors Audio Audio connectors allow you to connect speakers, headphones, microphones, sound systems, amplifiers, or TVs audio output. NOTE: Your computer may not support all the audio ports. For information on the ports available on your computer or tablet, see the Quick Start Guide shipped with your computer or see the Setup and Specifications at www.dell.com/support. Types of audio ports Table 6. Types of audio ports Headphone port—Connect headphones, powered speaker, or sound system.
Table 6. Types of audio ports (continued) Optical S/PDIF port—Transmits digital audio, using optical signals, without the need of analog audio conversion. USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) enables you to connect peripherals to a computer or a tablet. These peripherals include the mouse, keyboard, printer, external drives, cameras, phones, and so on. USB port may be used to transfer data between your computer and the device and also to charge supported devices.
Table 8. USB standards (continued) NOTE: If you turn off your computer while charging a USB device, the device may stop charging. To continue charging, disconnect the device and connect it again. NOTE: On laptops, PowerShare feature stops charging the device when the laptop battery charge reaches 10%. You can configure this limit using BIOS setup program. USB-C Depending on your device, this port may support USB 3.1, Display over USB-C, and Thunderbolt 3 devices.
Advantages of DisplayPort ● ● ● ● ● Supports high resolutions and high refresh‑rates Supports 3D transmission Supports multiple display‑devices simultaneously Supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) Supports plug-and-play adapters that allow you to connect displays using older connection standards such as DVI, HDMI, and VGA ● DisplayPort cables can extend up to 15 m (49.21 ft) without requiring signal boosters.
Software and Applications Absolute Absolute provides persistent endpoint security and data risk management solutions for computers, tablets, and smartphones. Persistence technology enables you to consistently assess risk, secure the lifecycle of each device, and preemptively respond to security incidents. NOTE: Persistence technology may not be supported on all computers. Getting Help on Absolute Dell provides help on persistence technology through Absolute Software.
● Windows 7—Click Start > All Programs > Dell > My Dell > My Dell. PC Check NOTE: PC checkup is available only on selected models. Use PC Checkup to check your hard‑drive usage, run hardware diagnostics, and track the changes made to your computer. ● Drive Space Manager—Manage your hard drive using a visual representation of the space consumed by each type of file. ● Performance and Configuration History—Monitor system events and changes over time.
Table 9. Solution Station offerings (continued) Type Offerings File transfer and data backup Troubleshooting and repair Speed up your computer Virus and spy-ware removal Data recovery Computer errors and troubleshooting Network errors and troubleshooting Quickset Quickset is a suite of software applications that provide enhanced functionality to your Dell computer. It provides easy access to various functions that would normally require several steps.
Table 10. Keyboard shortcuts for 3D gaming (continued) Keys Description Function To maximize performance, select HD or SD mode when 3DTV Play is disabled. Increases 3D depth Increases the 3D depth in the current game. Decreases 3D depth Decreases the 3D depth in the current game. Captures a 3D screen shot of the current game, and saves the file in a folder in the Documents folder. To view the file, use the NVIDIA 3D Photo Viewer.
Restoring your operating system System recovery options CAUTION: Using Dell Factory Image Restore or the operating system disc permanently deletes all files on your computer. If possible, back up your data files before using these options. You can restore the operating system on your computer using one of the following options: Table 11. System recovery options Option Description Dell Backup and Recovery Use this option as the first solution to recover your operating system.
Table 12. Dell Backup and Recovery features (continued) Features Basic Premium Backup and restore files based on type Dell Backup and Recovery Basic Accessing Dell Backup and Recovery Windows 10 1. Click Start, type Backup in the search box. 2. Click the Dell Backup and Recovery icon and follow the on-screen instructions. Windows 8 1. Access the search charm. 2. Click or tap Apps and type Dell Backup and Recovery in the search box. 3.
Restoring data from a system backup 1. Launch Dell Backup and Recovery. 2. Click or tap the Backup tile and select System Backup. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. Restoring specific files or folders from a Full System Backup 1. Launch Dell Backup and Recovery. 2. Click or tap the Recovery tile, and then select Data Recovery. 3. Click or tap Yes, Continue. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. Restoring specific files or folders from a file and folder backup 1. Launch Dell Backup and Recovery. 2.
Starting Dell Factory Image Restore NOTE: Using Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before performing Dell Factory Image Restore. Use Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem. 1. Turn on or restart the computer. 2. When the DELL logo appears, press F8 a few times to access the Advanced Boot Options window.
Undoing the last system restore 1. 2. 3. 4. Right-click (or press and hold) the Start button, and then select Control Panel. Click or tap Security and Maintenance. Click or tap Recovery. Click or tap Open System Restore and follow the on-screen instructions to undo the last system restore. Windows 8.1 Using system restore 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Click or tap Settings in the charms sidebar. Click or tap Control Panel. Type Recovery in the search box. Click or tap Recovery and click or tap Open System Restore.
You can use the operating system disc to install or reinstall the operating system on your computer. You must reinstall all drivers and software after reinstalling the operating system using the operating system disc. Reinstalling the operating system using the Operating System disc To reinstall the operating system: 1. Insert the Operating System disc and restart the computer. 2. When the DELL logo appears, press F12 immediately to access the boot menu.
Troubleshooting Basic troubleshooting steps This section lists some basic troubleshooting steps you can use to resolve common issues with your computer. ● ● ● ● ● ● Ensure your computer is turned on and all the components are receiving power. Ensure all the cables are firmly connected to the respective ports. Ensure that the cables are not damaged or frayed. Ensure that there are no bent or broken pins on the connectors. Restart your computer and check whether the problem persists.
NOTE: ePSA may not be supported on all computers. The ePSA home screen is divided into three areas: ● Devices window—Appears on the left of the ePSA home screen. It displays all the devices in your computer and can be used to select devices. ● Control window—Appears at the bottom-right of the ePSA home screen. ○ Selecting the Thorough Test Mode check-box in the control window maximizes the extent and duration of the tests.
The Event Log tab in the Status window displays the errors that occurred during the ePSA tests. Beep codes Your computer may emit a series of beeps during start-up if there are errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. If this occurs, note the beep code and contact Dell for assistance. NOTE: Some of the beep codes mentioned in the table below may not apply to your computer. Table 13.
BIOS BIOS stores hardware information about your computer and passes on the information to the operating system when the computer boots up. You can make changes to the basic hardware settings stored in the BIOS using BIOS setup program. You can use BIOS setup program to: ● Set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password. ● Determine the devices installed on your computer, such as amount of memory, type of hard drive, and so on.
For procedure on clearing passwords and clearing CMOS settings, see your computer Service Manual at www.dell.com/support. Boot Sequence Boot Sequence allows you to bypass the System Setup–defined boot device order and boot directly to a specific device (for example: optical drive or hard drive).
Getting help and contacting Dell Self-help resources You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these self-help resources: Table 14. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter. Online help for operating system www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.
References Computer maintenance It is recommended that you perform the following tasks to avoid general computer problems: ● Provide direct access to a power source, adequate ventilation, and a level surface to place your computer. ● Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. ● Back up your data regularly. ● Perform a virus scan regularly. ● Check your computer for errors using SupportAssist and other tools available on your computer.
2. You can choose from a plan from the list of options available depending on your computer usage. 3. To modify the power settings, click Change plan settings. Configuring the power button behavior To configure the power button behavior: Windows 10 and 8.1 1. Click or tap Start > All apps. 2. Under Windows System, click or tap Control Panel. NOTE: For Windows 8.1/Windows RT click or tap Settings in the charms sidebar and click or tap Control panel. 3.
● High-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power‑intensive programs like complex 3D graphics applications and games. You can improve the battery performance by: ● Operating the computer on AC power when possible. Battery life reduces with the number of times the battery is discharged and recharged. ● Configuring the power management settings using Microsoft Windows Power Options to optimize your computer’s power usage (see Power management).
Migrating from one Windows operating system to a newer Windows operating system While migrating to a newer operating system, refer to the Microsoft guidelines provided for migration from one operating system to another. For more information, see www.microsoft.com. Ergonomic instructions CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury. CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time may result in eye strain.
1. Monitor at or below eye level 3. Monitor stand 5. Arms at desk level 2. Monitor and keyboard positioned directly in front of the user 4. Feet flat on the floor 6. Wrists relaxed and flat NOTE: For the latest ergonomic instructions, see www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Dell and the environment Green is not about limitation, it is about possibility. It is about finding a better way.
Table 15. Dell and the environment (continued) in our packaging is sourced from a forest far away from pandas’ known habitats. Join the Plant a Tree program Dell created the Plant a Tree program to make it easy for you to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from your computer equipment and to help build a healthier planet—one tree and forest at a time. For more information, see www.dell.com/ plantatree.
