Reference Guide

ManualsBrandsDell ManualsLaptopStudio 1749

Table Of Contents

Contents
Finding Information
- Start Button
- Microsoft Windows Help and Support
  - Windows Vista®
  - Windows® XP
- Control Panel
- Information About Installed Hardware
  - Device Manager
  - Hardware Devices Installed on Your Computer
- Programs Installed on Your Computer
- Wireless Networking
- Dell Support Website
- BIOS (System Setup Program) Settings
Microsoft Windows Desktop
- Overview
- Taskbar
- Desktop Icons and Shortcuts
  - Deleting an Icon From the Desktop
  - Creating and Deleting Program Shortcuts on the Desktop
- Shortcut Menus
- Changing the Desktop Appearance
- Start Button (Menu)
  - Overview
  - Customizing the Start Menu
- Control Panel
Monitors and Displays
- Cleaning Your Computer’s Display Screen
- Adjusting the Resolution of Your Display
- Setting the Display for Multiple Monitors
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
- Using the Ambient Light Sensor in Bright or Low- Light Environments:
- Cables and Connections
  - DisplayPort™ - Features and Benefits
- NVIDIA SLI and ATI Crossfire Technologies
Navigation Devices (Mouse, Keyboard, Touch Pad)
- Mouse
- Touch Pad
- Using a Touch Pointer (Track Stick or Tablet PC Pen)
  - Turning the Touch Pointer On or Off From the Control Panel
  - Turning the Touch Pointer On or Off From the Taskbar
- Using a USB Pointing Device (Mouse)
  - Troubleshooting a USB Pointing Device
- Keyboard
Printers-Settings and Drivers
- Accessing Printer Information
- Changing Printer Settings
  - For Windows Vista®
  - For Windows® XP
- Setting up Printers
  - Adding a Printer
  - Setting the Default Printer
- Sharing Printers on a Network
- Installing a Printer Driver
Drives and Media
- Freeing up Hard Drive Space
  - Shadow Storage
  - Reducing Hard Drive Space Used by Shadow Storage
- Solid-State Drive (SSD)
- Installing Drivers for Media Drives
- Drive Problems
  - Optical Drive Problems
  - Hard Drive Problems
- Working with RAID
Shutting Down Your Computer
- Windows Vista®
- Windows® XP
- Shutdown States
- Docking and Undocking Your Laptop Computer
  - Undocking Your Computer While it is Running- Hot Undocking
  - Undocking Without Shutting Down
- Shutting Down Your Computer When it Fails to Shut Down Normally
  - Shutting Down a Stalled or "Frozen" Computer
- Shutting Down a Computer When it Stops Responding and Displays a Solid Blue Screen
- Starting Your Computer in Safe Mode
- Restarting Your Computer After a Power Loss
Files and Folders
- Navigating to Files
- Finding Files
  - Searching for a File
- Renaming Files
- Printing Files
- Deleting Files
- Sharing Files
- Restricting Access to a File
- Transferring Files and Settings to a New Computer
  - Transferring Files From a Computer Running Windows XP to a Computer Running Windows Vista
  - Transferring Files Between Computers Running Windows XP
- Backing up Files
- Restoring Files
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
Managing Applications (Programs)
- Installing Applications on Your Computer
- Removing Applications From Your Computer
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
- Ending an Application When it Does not Respond
Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security)
- Performing Maintenance Tasks to Increase Computer Speed and Ensure Security
- Cleaning Your Computer
- Managing Your Computer Performance
  - Windows Vista®
  - Windows® XP
- Performance Tuning
- Cleaning Up Your Hard Drive
- Defragmenting Your Hard Drive
- Detecting and Repairing Disk Errors
- Scanning for Viruses and Spyware
Power (Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries)
- Setting Power Options
  - Windows Vista®
  - Windows® XP
- Power Protection Devices
- Laptop Computer Batteries
Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband)
- Overview
- Local Area Networks (LAN)
  - What You Need to Set up a LAN
  - Setting up a new LAN
- Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)
- Ad Hoc Networks
- Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network) Networks
- WiMAX
- WPAN
- Managing Your Network
- Locating Networks With the Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator
  - Scanning for a Wireless Network
  - Enabling the Network Locator
- Managing Networked Computers With Intel® Active Management Technology
Accessing the Internet
- Overview
- Setting up Your Internet Connection
  - Windows Vista®
  - Windows® XP
- Troubleshooting Problems Connecting to the Internet
- Web Browser Settings
- Internet Security and Privacy
- Controlling Pop-ups
- Controlling Unwanted Toolbars
- Content Advisory/Parental Controls
- Bookmarking Favorite Websites
- Searching for Information on the Internet
- Changing the Internet Communications Protocol (TCP/IP) Settings
- Printing a Web Page
- Freeing up Space and Protecting Your Computer
- Maintaining Privacy by Blocking and Deleting Cookies
E-mail
- Setting up a new E-mail Account
  - Windows Vista®
  - Windows® XP
- Managing and Organizing E-mail Messages
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
- Securing Your E-mail
- Viewing E-mail Messages
- Sending E-mail
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
- Creating a Contact Group (Mailing List)
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
- Backing Up E-mail Messages
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
Multimedia (CDs/DVDs, 5.1 Audio, MP3s, TVs, Digital Cameras, and Projectors)
- Overview
- CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Disc™ Media
  - Playing a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc Media
  - Copying CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc Media
- 5.1 Audio
  - Setting up the 5.1 Audio Connections
- Laptop Media Devices (MP3 Players)
- Playing Media Using the Dell Travel Remote
- Adjusting the Volume on Your Computer
- Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Through the Media Software
- Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio in the Windows Audio Driver
- Setting up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones
- Using a Digital Camera With Your Computer
- Using Windows Media Player
Connecting Your Computer to a TV and Adjusting Display Settings
- Accessing a TV With Your Computer Using a TV Tuner Card
- Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
- Physically Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
- Performing the Basic Connection Steps
- Selecting the Correct Input Signal From the TV Menu
  - TV Menu Example
  - What to do If the TV Does not Recognize a Signal
- Evaluating Suggested Connection Configurations
- Enabling the Display View for the Computer and the TV
- Configuring Display Settings
- Adjusting Display Settings With the Vendor Video Card Control Panel
  - Windows Vista
  - Windows XP
- Using the Wizards
- Troubleshooting Display Settings
  - Where to Find Help
  - Resolving Common Problems
Security and Privacy
- Protecting Your Computer-Using Administrator Rights, User Groups, and Passwords
- Smart Cards
- Fingerprint Readers
- Facial Recognition Software
- Using a Firewall to Secure Your Computer
  - Turning On Windows Firewall
- Encrypting Files and Folders
- Using Antivirus Software
- Maintaining Security When Using a Public Wireless Network
- Reducing the Risk of Getting Computer Viruses
- Dealing With Cookies
  - Blocking all Cookies
- Avoiding Spyware and Malware
Microsoft®Windows® XP Pro Remote Desktop
- Enabling Remote Desktop on the Host Computer
- Installing Remote Desktop Client Software
- Calling From a Remote Location
Restoring Your Operating System
- Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore
- Using Dell™ PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore
  - Windows Vista: Dell Factory Image Restore
- Using the Operating System Media
  - Before you Begin
  - Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista
Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting Tools
- Solving Problems
- Dell Technical Update Service
System Setup
- Viewing System Settings With the System Setup Program
- Changing the BIOS Settings
  - Viewing the BIOS Settings
  - Upgrading the BIOS (Flashing the BIOS)
Ports
- USB Port
- IEEE 1394 Port
- RS232 Serial Port
- Parallel Port
- eSATA Port
- Modem
- Ethernet Port
- Keyboard and Mouse Port (PS2)
- VGA Port
- DVI-I Port
- S-Video TV-Out Port
- Component Video
- Composite Video
- HDMI Port
- DisplayPort™
- S/PDIF Port (Coaxial RCA)
- S/PDIF Port (Toslink)
- Audio Ports
Getting Help
- Obtaining Assistance
- Dell Support Service
- Contacting Dell
Glossary

312 System Setup

7

Click

Close

when the

Download Complete

window appears.

The file icon appears on your desktop and is titled the same as the

downloaded BIOS update file.

8

Double-click the file icon on the desktop and follow the instructions on

the screen.