Me and My Dell For Inspiron, XPS, and Alienware computers
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. © 2011-2019 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents 1 Setting up your computer...............................................................................................................................7 Connecting to the internet................................................................................................................................................7 Connecting to the internet using LAN.......................................................................................................................
Removable storage devices......................................................................................................................................20 Memory module............................................................................................................................................................... 23 System board..................................................................................................................................................................
4 Ports and connectors...................................................................................................................................39 Audio..................................................................................................................................................................................39 Types of audio ports..................................................................................................................................................
7 Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................................... 55 Basic troubleshooting steps........................................................................................................................................... 55 Diagnostics.......................................................................................................................................................................
1 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.
5 Turn on or off file sharing (optional). Windows 7 1 Click or tap the wireless icon in the notification menu. 2 Click the network you want to connect to. 3 Click Connect. 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).
Dell desktops may support 5.1 or 7.1 audio. If you are setting up 5.1 or 7.1 audio, you must connect the speakers to the appropriate ports for best audio output. NOTE: For more 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. NOTE: For best results, place the speakers as specified in the documents shipped with your speakers.
Connecting 5.1 speakers Figure 1. Connecting 5.1 speakers 1 Rear audio connector on the computer 2 Center/LFE surround out on the computer 3 Front audio connector on the computer 4 5.
Connecting 7.1 speakers Figure 2. Connecting 7.1 speakers 1 Rear audio connector on the computer 2 Center/LFE surround out on the computer 3 Side audio connector on the computer 4 Front audio connector on the computer 5 7.1 channel audio cable 6 Center/LFE surround out on the speaker 7 Front audio connector on the speaker 8 Rear audio connector on the speaker 9 Side audio connector on the speaker Setting up your printer You can connect a printer to the USB port on your computer.
NOTE: If your printer is installed, it should appear in the list on the right side. If your printer is not in this list, click or tap Add a device at the top of the device list. Select your printer from this list to install it. For more information on setting up the printer, see the documentation shipped with your printer. Windows 7 1 Click Start > Devices and Printers. 2 Click Add a Printer. The Add Printer window appears. 3 Follow the on-screen instructions.
Windows 10 Once the cables are connected securely, your computer should automatically detect and display the desktop screen on the connected monitors. You can now select the display style that best suits your needs. Microsoft Windows provides multiple display style options on how the desktop screen is displayed across multiple monitors that are connected to your PC. • PC Screen only—Use only display 1 and show nothing on display 2. The second monitor is ignored and only the primary monitor is used.
• Duplicate—Duplicate your laptop screen image on both monitors based on the monitor with the lower resolution. • Extend—Move a window from one monitor to the other by clicking the Title Bar of the window and dragging the window to a new location. • Projector only—Typically chosen when your laptop is used as a desktop computer, so you can enjoy the higher resolution of a large external monitor.
2 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.
Coin-cell battery Coin-cell battery provides power to the Complementary Metal‑Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip while the computer is turned off. The CMOS chip contains the time, date, and other configuration information about your computer. Under normal usage conditions, 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.
Wireless display The wireless display feature enables you to share your computer display with a compatible TV without the use of cables. To check if your TV supports this feature, see the documentation of the TV. NOTE: Wireless display may not be supported on all computers. For more information, see www.intel.com. Camera Webcam The webcam enables you to video chat, capture photos, and record videos.
• Navigation keys for moving the cursor around in documents or windows Physical keyboard Physical keyboards are used with laptop and desktop computers. Laptops generally have a built-in keyboard. External keyboards are generally used with desktop computers. Some keyboards may have features such as keys for volume adjustment, application shortcuts, built-in touch pad, programmable shortcut keys, back-light, and so on.
NOTE: Backlit keyboard may not be available on all computers. To check if backlit keyboard is available on your computer, see the Quick Start Guide shipped with your computer or see the Setup and Specifications at www.dell.com/support. On-screen keyboard On-screen keyboards are available on almost all computers and tablets. However, they are used in touch screen devices such as tablets and all-in-one computers. You can select the keys using a mouse or by touching the keys on a touch screen.
Locating the label on your computer Laptops—Bottom of the laptop under system badge, or in battery bay Desktops—Back or top of the computer chassis Tablets—Back or bottom of the tablet NOTE: For the specific location of the label on your device, see the Quick Start Guide shipped with your computer or see the Setup and Specifications at www.dell.com/support. Dell support website 1 Go to www.dell.com/support. 2 Click or tap Detect Product, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Optical drives and discs Your computer may support a DVD RW or a DVD RW and Blu-ray combo drive. Optical discs can be read-only, write-once, or re-writeable. Some of the common types of drives are: • Blu-ray writer—Reads and writes to Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, and CDs. • Blu-ray reader + DVD RW combo—Reads Blu-ray Discs. Reads and writes to DVDs and CDs. • DVD RW—Reads and writes to DVDs and CDs. Memory cards Memory cards, also referred to as media or flash cards, use flash memory to store data.
MultiMedia Card plus (MMC+) MultiMedia Card (MMC) Mobile RS MMC Extreme Digital (xD) Memory Stick XC (MSXC) Compact Flash I, II/Compact Flash MD Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick (MS)/Memory Stick Pro (MS Pro) 22 About your computer
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). Faster and higher amount of memory generally provides better performance. Common memory‑module types are: • Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)—Used in desktop computers.
Processors are mainly classified based on: • Number of processing cores • Speed or frequency measured in GigaHertz (GHz) or MegaHertz (MHz) • On-board memory, also referred to as cache These aspects also determine the performance of the processor. Higher values generally mean better performance. Some processors may be integrated on the system board. Some of the processor manufacturers are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and so on.
Video card Video cards process graphics data and send video output to a display device such as a monitor or projector. Video cards can be of two types: • Integrated–Often referred to as on-board video card, it is integrated on the system board. In some computers, the video card is integrated on the processor. Integrated video cards generally share the system memory (RAM) and the may also utilize the processor to perform video processing.
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.
To use the webcam, you must install webcam drivers and software. If you ordered the webcam along with your computer, the drivers and software are generally installed when you receive your computer. For more information on setting up the webcam, see Setting up your webcam. Network A network allows you to connect your devices with each other and to the internet. These devices include computers, tablets, phones, printers, and other peripherals.
Wireless routers can connect to several devices at the same time. For more information, see the documentation for your router. Network‑Interface Controller Network‑Interface Controllers (NIC), also referred to as network adapters or Local‑Area Network (LAN) adapters, connect to a network using an Ethernet cable. NICs can be internal (integrated to the system board) or external (expansion cards). Most new computers have integrated network adapters.
3 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.
F5 Refresh the active window. F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F10 Activate the menu bar in the active program. Ctrl and c Copy a selected item. 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).
Table 3. List of keyboard shortcuts Windows key and start typing Search your computer. Ctrl and + Zoom in to a large number of items on the screen such as apps pinned on the Start screen. Ctrl and - Zoom out of a large number of items on the screen such as apps pinned on the Start screen. Windows key and c Open the charms sidebar. 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 10 and 8.1 1 Type Control Panel 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 Control Panel. 3 If your Control Panel is displayed by Category, click or tap on the View by: drop-down menu and select Small icons or Large icons. 4 Click or tap Keyboard. 5 Adjust the keyboard settings you want to change and click or tap OK to save the settings and close the window.
• To left-click or select an object, press the left touchpad button or tap the touchpad once. • To right-click an object, tap the right touchpad button once. • To double-click an object, press the left touchpad button twice or tap twice on the touchpad.
Place two fingers on the touchpad and then move them apart to zoom‑in. Place two fingers on the touchpad and then bring them closer to zoom‑out. Twist—Rotate active content, in 90‑degree increments, using two fingers. Rotate Keeping the thumb in place, move the index finger in an arched direction right or left to rotate the selected item 90‑degree clockwise or counterclockwise. Flick Flip content forward or backward. Move three fingers quickly to the left or right to flip content backwards or forward.
Place two fingers on the touch screen and then bring them closer to zoom‑out. Dwell Touch and hold the item on the screen to open the context menu. 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.
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 the selected object. Scroll Vertical–Scroll up or scroll down on the active window. Move a finger up or down to start vertical scrolling. Scroll Horizontal–Scroll right or left on the active window. Move a finger to the right or left to start horizontal scrolling.
Pairing a Bluetooth device with your computer or tablet Windows 10 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 Swipe in from the right edge of the display to open Action Center. 3 Press and hold Bluetooth and then tap Go to settings.
Capturing a still image 1 Open Dell Webcam Central. 2 Click or tap the Snap Photos tab. 3 Click or tap the camera icon to capture a still image. NOTE: To configure options such as image size, self-timer, burst‑capture, image format, and so on, click or tap the drop‑down arrow next to the camera icon. Recording a video 1 Open Dell Webcam Central. 2 Click or tap the Record Videos tab. 3 Click or tap the recording icon to start recording a video.
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.
Side-surround sound port—Connect left/right speakers. RCA S/PDIF port—Transmits digital audio without the need of analog audio conversion. 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 standards Table 8. USB standards USB 3.1 Gen 2 This is also referred to as SuperSpeed USB+. This port supports peripherals such as storage devices, printers, and so on. Provides data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. It can be found with USB Type-C connections and has capabilities of Gen 1 in addition to DisplayPort over USB video capability. USB 3.1 Gen 1 This is also referred to as SuperSpeed USB. This port supports peripherals such as storage devices, printers, and so on.
• DVI-A (DVI-Analog)—DVI‑A transmits analog video‑signals to an analog display such as a CRT monitor or an analog LCD monitor. • DVI- I (DVI-Integrated)—DVI-I is an integrated connector that can transmit a digital or an analog signal. This port is more versatile as it can be used in both digital and analog connections. DisplayPort DisplayPort provides digital connection between your computer and display devices such as monitors, projectors, and so on. It supports both video and audio signals.
SPDIF S/PDIF is a standard for transferring audio in digital format. You can use S/PDIF to audio devices such as sound cards, speakers, home theater systems, TVs, and so on. It provides 5.1 audio support.
5 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.
SupportAssist is already installed on all new Dell computers and tablets. To reinstall SupportAssist, download the application and run the installation program. Accessing SupportAssist • Windows 10—Click or tap the Dell Help & Support icon on the Start screen. • Windows 8.1— Click or tap the My Dell icon on the Start screen. • Windows 7—Click Start > All Programs > Dell > My Dell > My Dell. PC Check NOTE: PC checkup is available only on selected models.
Type Offerings Software installation Windows operating system installation Internal hardware upgrades TV and home theater installation Anti-virus installation Internet and email setup Computer accessories setup Internet parental control setup 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 enhanc
Playing games in 3D 1 Launch the game in full-screen mode. 2 If you see a message stating that the current mode is not HDMI v1.4 compatible, set the in-game resolution to 1280 x 720 (720p) in HD 3D mode. Keyboard shortcuts The following are some of the keyboard shortcuts available for 3D gaming: Table 10. Keyboard shortcuts for 3D gaming Keys Description Function Shows/hides stereoscopic 3D effects Turns 3DTV Play on or off.
6 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.
Features Basic Premium Create a full system backup including applications and settings Merge multiple backups and archive old backups 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.
Upgrading to Dell Backup and Recovery premium 1 Launch Dell Backup and Recovery. 2 Click or tap the Backup tile and select Data Backup. 3 Click or tap Upgrade to Dell Backup and Recovery Premium. 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.
Accessing Dell Factory Image Restore CAUTION: 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 other recovery methods fail.
Windows 10 Using system restore 1 Right-click (or press and hold) the Start button, and then select Control Panel. 2 Type Recovery in the search box. 3 Click or tap Recovery. 4 Click or tap Open System Restore. 5 Click or tap Next and follow the on-screen instructions. Undoing the last system restore 1 Right-click (or press and hold) the Start button, and then select Control Panel. 2 Click or tap Security and Maintenance. 3 Click or tap Recovery.
3 Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions. Undoing the last system restore In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue, you may undo the last system restore. NOTE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete. 1 Click or tap Start. 2 In the search box, type System Restore and press Enter.
5 If prompted, quickly press any key to boot from the boot device. 6 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery process.
7 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.
Press to continue if you are experiencing memory issue, otherwise press to finish the test. NOTE: Press Esc anytime during the test to abort testing and restart your computer. Enhanced PSA You can use the Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA) to diagnose various hardware problems. The ePSA tests devices such as the system board, keyboard, display, memory, hard drive, and so on. NOTE: ePSA may not be supported on all computers.
2 Press F12 at the Dell logo to access the BIOS setup program. NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop, then restart your computer and try again 3 Select Diagnostics and press Enter. 4 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test and note any error messages that appear. If a component fails the test, the test stops, the computer beeps, and an error code is displayed.
8 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.
Use system‑board jumper NOTE: System-board jumper is available only on desktop computers. Almost all system boards on desktop computers contain a jumper to clear CMOS settings along with the BIOS password. The location of this jumper varies depending upon the system board. Look for the jumpers near the CMOS battery, usually labeled as CLR, CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, and so on. For procedure on clearing passwords and clearing CMOS settings, see your computer Service Manual at www.dell.com/support.
9 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.
10 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.
5 You can choose a plan from the list of options available depending on your computer usage. 6 To modify the power settings, click or tap Change plan settings. Windows 7 1 Click Start > Control Panel > Power Options. 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.
• Alert Settings–Restore to default alert settings. For more information on Dell Power Manager, see the Dell Power Manager User Guide at www.dell.com/support. Improving battery life The operating time of a battery, which is the time the battery can hold a charge, varies depending on how you use your laptop computer. The operating time of your battery significantly reduces if you use: • Optical drives • Wireless communication devices, ExpressCards, media cards, or USB devices.
1 Right-click the battery icon on the Windows notification area, and then click or tap Dell Extended Battery Life Options. The Battery Meter dialog box is displayed. 2 Click or tap the Desktop mode tab. 3 Click or tap Enable or Disable based on your preference. 4 Click or tap OK. NOTE: When desktop mode is enabled, the battery charges only between 50% to 100% percent of its capacity. Migration tips Computer migration is the moving of data and applications between two different computers.
1 Monitor at or below eye level 2 Monitor and keyboard positioned directly in front of the user 3 Monitor stand 4 Feet flat on the floor 5 Arms at desk level 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.
We know that responsible sourcing is important to you, so the bamboo used 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.