DellTM VostroTM 1500 Owner's Manual Model PP22L 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. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2007 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, Vostro, Wi-Fi Catcher, and Dell MediaDirect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel is a registered trademark and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, Outlook, and Windows Vista are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license; ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR partner, Dell Inc. has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. 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 PP22L July 2007 P/N TT979 Rev. A01 Contents 1 2 Finding Information ................. 15 21 21 22 27 30 31 34 About Your Computer ............... ...... Determining Your Computer's Configuration Front View ........................ ...................... ..................... Left Side View Right Side View Back View ........................ ....................... Bottom View 3 Setting Up Your Computer . Connecting to the Internet ........... 37 37 38 39 39 39 40 40 ............... ....... ..... Setting Up Your Internet Connection . Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft® Windows® Easy Transfer . . . . . . . Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable ................... .................... ............. Connecting a USB Printer Contents 3 Power Protection Devices Surge Protectors Line Conditioners ............... 41 41 42 42 .................. .................. .......... Uninterruptible Power Supplies 4 Using the Display Adjusting Brightness Using a Projector .................. .................. 43 43 43 43 44 44 .................... ... Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper Microsoft Windows XP Windows VistaTM ® ® ............. .................. Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Microsoft Windows XP . Windows Vista ....... 45 45 46 46 47 47 .............. ................... ..... Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate . Microsoft Windows XP . Windows Vista .............. ................... 5 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad .... 49 49 50 50 50 50 50 ..................... .................... .................. ................. Key Combinations System Functions Battery Display Functions . ....................... ................ Power Management 4 Contents Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions . DellTM QuickSet Key Combinations . Adjusting Keyboard Settings . Touch Pad ... 51 51 51 51 52 ........ ........... ........................ ............ Customizing the Touch Pad 6 Using a Battery .................... .................. .............. .......... ...... 55 55 56 56 57 57 58 58 59 59 59 60 60 61 61 62 Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge DellTM QuickSet Battery Meter . Charge Gauge Microsoft® Windows® Battery Meter . Low-Battery Warning Conserving Battery Power Power Management Modes Standby and Sleep Mode Hibernate Mode ................... ............... ............... .............. ............. .................. ....... ....... Configuring Power Management Settings Accessing Power Options Properties Charging the Battery Replacing the Battery Storing a Battery .................. .................. .................... Contents 5 7 Using Multimedia Playing Media .................. 63 63 65 65 66 66 67 67 68 ...................... .............. ............. .......... Copying CD and DVD Media . How to Copy a CD or DVD Helpful Tips Using Blank CD and DVD Media Adjusting the Volume . Adjusting the Picture ..................... ............... ................ ............. Using Dell MediaDirectTM Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device . . . . . . . . . . . . S-Video and Standard Audio S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio .......... 69 72 73 75 77 79 82 ............ ......... ....... .... Composite Video and Standard Audio Component Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio ...... .... 8 Using ExpressCards ExpressCard Blanks ................ 87 87 88 89 ................... ................ .......... Installing an ExpressCard Removing an ExpressCard or Blank . 6 Contents 9 Using the Memory Card Reader Memory Card Blanks ....... 91 91 91 92 .................. ................ .......... Installing a Memory Card Removing a Memory Card or Blank . 10 Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting Up a Network Windows XP Windows Vista ....... 93 93 94 94 94 95 95 95 96 97 ......... .................. .................... ................... ............. ....... ...... .... Wireless Local Area Network What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Checking Your Wireless Network Card Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem . . . . . Connecting to a WLAN . .............. Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection . . ...... 100 100 101 101 102 103 ....... ... ... Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card . Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card . . . . . . . . . . Dell Wi-Fi CatcherTM Network Locator ........ ......... Contents 7 11 Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock Passwords ............ 105 105 105 106 ................... ........................ ........... If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen . 12 Troubleshooting . .................. ............. 109 109 109 113 114 115 115 116 118 123 124 124 124 125 126 126 126 126 127 Dell Technical Update Service Dell Diagnostics ..................... ................... Dell Support Utility Drive Problems ..................... ............... Optical drive problems Hard drive problems ................ ........ E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . Error Messages ..................... ................. ............... ExpressCard Problems IEEE 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems ................... ............ External Keyboard problems Unexpected characters .............. ............ ............ .......... ..... Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start The computer stops responding A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A solid blue screen appears ............ 8 Contents Dell MediaDirect problems Other software problems Memory Problems Network Problems ............ ............. 127 128 129 129 130 131 132 133 134 134 134 135 135 136 136 137 138 138 138 138 139 .................... ................... ..... Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN]) . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Problems . Printer Problems .................... .................... ................... ............. ........ Scanner Problems . Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Video and Display Problems If the display is blank . ......... ............ ............. .............. ............... .......... ....... If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable Drivers .......................... ................. ................. .......... What Is a Driver? . Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Microsoft® Windows® XP and Microsoft Windows VistaTM Operating Systems . . . . . . . . .. 142 Contents 9 Restoring Your Operating System ............ .... ..... 143 144 145 148 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Using DellTM PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the Operating System Media ........ 13 Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools ......... 151 151 151 151 152 154 154 156 157 157 157 158 158 159 159 160 161 162 162 163 165 166 .................... ................ ............. ....... Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Hard Drive ........................ ............. ............. ........... Removing the Hard Drive . Replacing the Hard Drive . Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Optical Drive . ...................... ............ Removing the Optical Drive Hinge Cover ....................... ............. ............. Removing the Hinge Cover Replacing the Hinge Cover Keyboard ......................... .............. .............. Removing the Keyboard Replacing the Keyboard Memory ......................... ..... ..... ..... ..... Removing the DIMM A Memory Module . Replacing the DIMM A Memory Module Removing the DIMM B Memory Module . Replacing the DIMM B Memory Module 10 Contents Subscriber Identity Module Wireless Mini-Cards ............... 168 169 169 171 172 175 176 177 177 177 178 .................. .............. .............. ......... Removing a WLAN Card Replacing a WLAN Card Removing a Mobile Broadband or WWAN Card . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing a WWAN Card Removing a WPAN Card Replacing a WPAN Card Flash Cache Module ............. .............. .............. .................. ................. ................. Removing the FCM Replacing the FCM Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Card Coin-Cell Battery ........ 179 179 180 180 ................. .................... .......... Removing the Coin-Cell Battery 14 DellTM QuickSet Features ........... 183 185 185 185 186 186 15 Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Packing the Computer . Travel Tips ....... ............... ................. ........................ .................. Traveling by Air . Contents 11 16 Getting Help . ..................... .................. ..... 187 187 188 188 188 189 189 189 190 190 191 193 Obtaining Assistance DellConnect . Technical Support and Customer Service Online Services . .................... .................. ................. ......... AutoTech Service . Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your Order . Product Information ............... ................... ..... Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Contacting Dell ..................... ..................... 17 Specifications 18 Appendix .................... 195 205 205 206 206 206 208 208 209 209 210 ........................ ............ ......... Using the System Setup Program System Setup Screen . Viewing the System Setup Screen Commonly Used Options Cleaning Your Computer . Touch Pad Mouse Media ............... .............. ................ ......... Computer, Keyboard, and Display ..................... ....................... ........................ 12 Contents Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) ....... .... 210 211 211 211 211 213 Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FCC Notice (U.S. Only) . FCC Class B . ...... ................. .................... .............. Macrovision Product Notice Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Index 233 .............................. Contents 13 14 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 Media Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the Drivers and Utilities disc to reinstall drivers (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 139), to run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 109), or to access your documentation. Readme files may be included on your disc 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. Finding Information 15 What Are You Looking For? · Warranty information · Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) · Safety instructions · Regulatory information · Ergonomics information · End User License Agreement Find It Here DellTM Product Information Guide · How to set up my computer Setup Diagram NOTE: See the setup diagram that came with your computer. · How to remove and replace parts Microsoft Windows XP and Windows VistaTM Help and Support Center · Specifications 1 Click Start Help and Support Dell · How to configure system settings User and System Guides System · How to troubleshoot and solve problems Guides. 2 Click the User's Guide for your computer. 16 Finding Information What Are You Looking For? · Service Tag and Express Service Code · Microsoft® Windows Product Key ® Find It Here Service Tag and Microsoft Windows Product Key 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. NOTE: As an increased security measure, the newly designed Microsoft Windows license label incorporates a missing portion or hole to discourage removal of the label. Finding Information 17 What Are You Looking For? Find It Here · Solutions -- Troubleshooting hints and Dell Support Website -- support.dell.com tips, articles from technicians, online NOTE: Select your region or business courses, and frequently asked questions segment to view the appropriate support · Community -- Online discussion with site. other Dell customers · Upgrades -- Upgrade information for components, such as the memory, hard drive, and operating system · Customer Care -- Contact information, service call and order status, and warranty and repair information · Service and support -- Service call status, support history, service contract, and online discussions with support · Dell Technical Update Service -- Proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer · 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 To download Notebook System Software: you reinstall the operating system for 1 Go to support.dell.com, select your your computer, you should also reinstall country/region, and then click Drivers & the NSS utility. NSS automatically Downloads. detects your computer and operating 2 Click Select Model or Enter a Tag. system and installs the updates 3 Make the appropriate selections or enter appropriate for your configuration, the appropriate information for your providing critical updates for your computer, and then click Confirm. operating system and support for 4 Scroll to System and Configuration processors, optical drives, USB devices, Utilities Dell Notebook System etc. NSS is necessary for correct Software, and then click Download operation of your Dell computer. Now. NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface may vary depending on your selections. 18 Finding Information What Are You Looking For? · Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints -- Frequently asked questions, hot topics, and general health of your computing environment Find It Here 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" on page 113. Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista 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. Dell QuickSet Help To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft Windows taskbar. For more information on Dell QuickSet, see "DellTM QuickSet Features" on page 183. · How to use Windows XP or Windows Vista · How to work with programs and files · How to personalize my desktop · Information on network activity, the Power Management Wizard, hotkeys, and other items controlled by Dell QuickSet Finding Information 19 What Are You Looking For? · How to reinstall my operating system Find It Here Operating System Media The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating System media (see "Restoring Your Operating System" on page 143). After you reinstall your operating system, use the optional Drivers and Utilities disc 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 operating system installation media varies according to the operating system you ordered. 20 Finding Information About Your Computer Determining Your Computer's Configuration Based on selections that you made when purchasing your computer, your computer has one of several different video controller configurations. To determine your computer's video controller configuration: 1 Click Start, and then click Help and Support. 2 Under Pick a Task, click Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems. 3 Under My Computer Information, select Hardware. From the My Computer Information - Hardware screen, you can view the type of video controller installed in your computer, as well as the other hardware components. About Your Computer 21 Front View 1 2 3 4 14 13 5 12 6 7 11 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 10 9 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 8 camera (optional) display keyboard touch pad media control buttons DellTM MediaDirectTM button digital array microphones camera indicator (optional) display latch power button device status lights consumer IR sensor touch pad buttons keyboard status lights 22 About Your Computer CAMERA INDICATOR -- Indicates that the camera is on. Based on configuration selections you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a camera. -- Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat. Based on configuration selections you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a camera. -- Keeps the display closed. -- For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on CAMERA DISPLAY LATCH DISPLAY page 43. POWER BUTTON -- Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power management mode (see "Power Management Modes" on page 59). NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft® Windows® operating system shutdown rather than by pressing the power button. If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (may take several seconds). KEYBOARD -- For more information about the keyboard, see "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad" on page 49. About Your Computer 23 DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS The blue lights located to the right of the keyboard indicate the following: Power light ­ Turns on when you turn on the computer, and blinks when the computer is in a power management mode. Hard-drive activity light ­ Turns on when the computer reads or writes data. NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the light is flashing. Battery status light ­ Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status. WiFi status light ­ Turns on when wireless networking is enabled. To enable or disable wireless networking, use the wireless switch (see "wireless switch" on page 27). 24 About Your Computer Bluetooth® status light ­ Turns on when an internal card with Bluetooth wireless technology is enabled. NOTE: The internal card with Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature. The light turns on only if you ordered the card with your computer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your card. To turn off only the Bluetooth wireless technology functionality, right-click the icon in the notification area, and then click Disable Bluetooth Radio. To quickly enable or disable all wireless devices, use the wireless switch (see "wireless switch" on page 27). If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the ­ Solid blue: The battery is charging. ­ Flashing blue: The battery is almost fully charged. ­ Off: The battery is adequately charged. light operates as follows: If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows: ­ Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off). ­ Flashing amber: The battery charge is low. ­ Solid amber: The battery charge is critically low. TOUCH PAD -- Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad" on page 51). TOUCH PAD BUTTONS -- Use these buttons much like the buttons on a mouse when you use the touch pad to move the cursor on the display (see "Touch Pad" on page 51). -- Control CD, DVD, and Media Player playback. MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS Mute the sound. Turn the volume down. Play the previous track. Play the next track. About Your Computer 25 Turn the volume up. Play or pause. Stop. DELL TM M E D I A D I R E C T TM B U T T O N -- Press the Dell MediaDirect button to launch Dell MediaDirect (see "Using Dell MediaDirectTM" on page 68). KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following: Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled. Turns on when the uppercase letter (caps lock) function is enabled. Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled. DIGITAL ARRAY MICROPHONES 9 A -- Built-in microphone for conferencing and chat. 26 About Your Computer Left Side View 1 1 3 5 2 3 4 2 4 6 5 6 wireless switch air vents ExpressCard slot security cable slot Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator light audio connectors SECURITY CABLE SLOT WIRELESS SWITCH -- Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer (see "Security Cable Lock" on page 105). -- When enabled through Dell QuickSet, this switch can scan for a wireless local area network (WLAN) in your vicinity. You can also use it to rapidly turn off or on any wireless devices such as WLAN cards and internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology (see "Dell Wi-Fi CatcherTM Network Locator" on page 103).