DellTM LatitudeTM D420 Quick Reference Guide Model PP09S w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m 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. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in your User's Guide. If you purchased a DellTM n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows® operating systems are not applicable. NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Latitude, and ExpressCharge are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Outlook, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. 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. Model PP09S March 2006 P/N JG941 Rev. A00 Contents Finding Information ................................ ............................. 5 9 10 11 12 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 Setting Up Your Computer About Your Computer. Front View. . Left View . . Right View. . Back View. . Bottom View Using a Battery . .............................. ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................. ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... Battery Performance . . . . . Checking the Battery Charge . Charging the Battery . . . . . Replacing the Battery. . . . . Storing a Battery . . . . . . . Troubleshooting ................................. ..................... ..................... Lockups and Software Problems . Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . Index . ........................................ 23 Contents 3 4 Contents Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer. What Are You Looking For? · · · · A diagnostic program for my computer Drivers for my computer My device documentation Notebook System Software (NSS) Find It Here Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD) NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" in your User's Guide) or to run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 19). Readme files may be included on your CD to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technical -reference material for technicians or experienced users. NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at support.dell.com. · · · · · · Warranty information Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) Safety instructions Regulatory information Ergonomics information End User License Agreement DellTM Product Information Guide Quick Reference Guide 5 What Are You Looking For? · · · · How to remove and replace parts Specifications How to configure system settings How to troubleshoot and solve problems Find It Here DellTM LatitudeTM User's Guide Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center 1 Click Start Help and Support Dell User and System Guides System Guides. 2 Click the User's Guide for your computer. Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License These labels are located on your computer. · Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. · Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support. · Service Tag and Express Service Code · Microsoft Windows License Label 6 Quick Reference Guide What Are You Looking For? · Solutions -- Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked questions · Community -- Online discussion with other Dell customers · Upgrades -- Upgrade information for components, such as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system · Customer Care -- Contact information, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information · Service and support -- Service call status and support history, service contract, online discussions with technical support · Reference -- Computer documentation, details on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers · Downloads -- Certified drivers, patches, and software updates · Notebook System Software (NSS) -- If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should also reinstall the NSS utility. NSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for DellTM 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel® processors, optical drives, and USB devices. NSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. The software automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration. · Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints -- Frequently asked questions, hot topics, and general health of your computing environment Find It Here Dell Support Website -- support.dell.com NOTE: Select your region or business segment to view the appropriate support site. To download Notebook System Software: 1 Go to support.dell.com, select your region or business segment, and enter your Service Tag. 2 Select Drivers & Downloads and click Go. 3 Click your operating system and search for the keyword Notebook System Software. NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface may vary depending on your selections. Dell Support Utility The Dell Support Utility is an automated upgrade and notification system installed on your computer. This support provides real-time health scans of your computing environment, software updates, and relevant self-support information. Access the Dell Support Utility from the icon in the taskbar. For more information, see "Dell Support Utility" in your User's Guide. Windows Help and Support Center 1 Click Start Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen. · How to use Windows XP · How to work with programs and files · How to personalize my desktop Quick Reference Guide 7 What Are You Looking For? Find It Here · Information on network activity, the Power Management Dell QuickSet Help Wizard, hotkeys, and other items controlled by Dell To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the QuickSet. ® ® icon in the Microsoft Windows taskbar. For more information on Dell QuickSet, see "DellTM QuickSet" in your User's Guide. · How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD NOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer. The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating System CD. See "Restoring Your Operating System" in your User's Guide. After you reinstall your operating system, use the optional Drivers and Utilities CD (ResourceCD) to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer. Your operating system product key label is located on your computer. NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating system you ordered. 8 Quick Reference Guide Setting Up Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. 1 Unpack the accessories box. 2 Set aside the contents of the accessories box, which you will need to complete the setup of your computer. The accessories box also contains user documentation and any software or additional hardware (such as PC Cards, drives, or batteries) that you have ordered. 3 Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter connector on the computer and to the electrical outlet. 4 Open the computer display and press the power button to turn on the computer (see "Front View" on page 11). 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. Quick Reference Guide 9 About Your Computer See your online User's Guide for detailed information about your computer. To access the User's Guide (depending on your operating system), either double-click the User's Guide icon on your desktop, or click the Start button, click Help and Support Center, and then click User and system guides. The following items address some of the more commonly asked questions about the computer. · Modem and network adapter: The computer may include both a v.92 56K modem and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet network adapter on the system board. For connector locations, see "Back View" on page 12. For more information on ports and connectors, see "About Your Computer" in your online User's Guide. Battery life and usage: Various batteries are available for use with your computer. Performing certain types of operations, such as extended wireless operation, can significantly reduce battery life and operating time. For more information about battery performance and usage, see "Using a Battery" on page 14. For more information about conserving power, see your User's Guide. · Docking devices: Your computer supports the DellTM Media Base, the Dell D/Dock Expansion Station, and the Dell D/Port Advanced Port Replicator. NOTE: The D420 has been optimally designed to be used with the slim Media Base for docking. However, it is compatible with the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock. With the use of the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock, all ports can be effectively utilized except for the 1394 port. If the use of this port is required, it is recommended that you utilize the Media Base as your primary docking device. NOTE: Docking devices may not be available in all countries. ­ For information on your optional docking device, see the documentation that accompanied the device. For information on obtaining optimal performance when using a docking device with this computer, see "Solving Problems" in your online User's Guide. 10 Quick Reference Guide Front View 1 2 10 9 8 7 6 3 5 4 1 2 3 4 display latch display device status lights touch pad 5 6 7 8 touch pad buttons track stick keyboard speaker 9 10 keyboard and network status lights ambient light sensor Quick Reference Guide 11 Left View 1 1 2 security cable slot 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 5 6 SmartCard slot Secure Digital(SD) card slot headphone connector PC Card slot microphone connector Right View CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your 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. 1 2 3 1 air vent 2 WiFi locator Wireless On/Off Switch 3 power button Back View 1 1 2 3 network connector (RJ-45) modem connector (RJ-11) USB connectors (2) Quick Reference Guide 4 5 6 2 3 4 5 7 8 6 7 8 video connector powered USB connector infrared sensor IEEE 1394 connector AC adapter connector 12 NOTE: The D420 has been optimally designed to be used with the slim Media Base for docking. However, it is compatible with the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock. With the use of the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock, all ports can be effectively utilized except for the 1394 port. If the use of this port is required, it is recommended that you utilize the Media Base as your primary docking device. Bottom View CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your 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. 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 1 2 battery battery charge gauge 3 4 battery-bay latch release (2) memory module/WLAN Mini-Card cover 5 6 air vent docking device slot Quick Reference Guide 13 Using a Battery Battery Performance NOTE: For information about the Dell ...