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Dell Inspiron 1100 Inspiron 1100 Owner's Manual - Page 124

Optimizing Power Consumption and Battery Charge Time, Variable Speed Fan

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www.dell.com | support.dell.com B A T T E R Y C A P A CI T Y - Performance is reduced when the computer is running on battery power and power consumption exceeds the battery's rated capacity or exceeds allowable safe discharge levels, or when the battery surface temperature exceeds 60°C. NOTE: You can also click the power meter icon on the taskbar. Optimizing Power Consumption and Battery Charge Time The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 3 hours with the computer turned off. Charge time is significantly longer if the computer is on and running at high processor speeds and system activity levels. If you run your computer at high system activity levels for extended periods of time and your battery is not charging, try running your system in Low Power Mode. Low Power Mode can improve battery charge time and battery life. Depending on system activity levels, system performance may be reduced. To set Low Power Mode: 1 Click the Start button→ Control Panel→ Performance and Maintenance→ Power Options. 2 Click the Power Schemes tab. 3 In the Power schemes drop-down menu, click Low Power Mode. For more information on power management, see the Tell Me How help file. To access the help file, see page 80. Variable Speed Fan The computer uses a variable speed fan to prevent the computer from overheating. The fan runs constantly, and fan speed may vary depending on usage. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer. 124 Appendix

Section	Page
Contents	3
CAUTION: Safety Instructions	11
General	11
Power	12
Battery	13
Air Travel	14
EMC Instructions	14
California Residents	14
When Using Your Computer	15
Ergonomic Computing Habits	16
When Working Inside Your Computer	16
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge	17
Battery Disposal	17
A Tour of Your Computer	19
Front View	20
Left Side View	23
Right Side View	24
Back View	26
Bottom View	28
Setting Up Your Computer	31
Dell™ QuickSet Features	32
Clicking the QuickSet Icon	32
Double-Clicking the QuickSet Icon	32
Right-Clicking the QuickSet Icon	32
Connecting to the Internet	33
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	33
Modem and Internet Connection Problems	34
E-Mail Problems	35
Transferring Information to a New Computer	36
Setting Up a Printer	37
Printer Cable	38
Connecting a USB Printer	38
Printer Problems	38
Power Protection Devices	39
Surge Protectors	39
Line Conditioners	40
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	40
Turning Off Your Computer	40
Using a Battery	41
Battery Performance	42
Checking the Battery Charge	43
Power Meter	43
Low-Battery Warning	43
Charging the Battery	44
Removing a Battery	44
Installing a Battery	45
Storing a Battery	45
Battery and Power Problems	45
If the battery is not charging	46
If battery life is short	46
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad	47
Dell™ AccessDirect™ Button	48
Reprogramming the Button	48
Numeric Keypad	48
Keyboard Shortcuts	49
System Functions	49
Display Functions	49
Power Management	50
Speaker Functions	50
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	50
Touch Pad	51
Customizing the Touch Pad	52
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	52
External Keyboard Problems	53
Unexpected Characters	53
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia	55
Using CDs and DVDs	56
CD or DVD Problems	56
If you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD	56
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive tray	56
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound	56
If the CD-RW drive stops writing	57
Sound and Speaker Problems	57
If you have a problem with integrated speakers	57
If you have a problem with external speakers	57
Connecting a Television to the Computer	58
S-Video Connection	59
Composite Video Connection	61
Enabling the Display Settings for a Television	63
Setting Up a Home and Office Network	65
Connecting to a Network Adapter	66
Network Setup Wizard	66
Network Problems	67
Connecting to Wireless Local Area Networks	67
Determining Your Network Type	68
Connecting to a Network in Windows XP	68
Finalizing Your Network Connection (Security Settings)	71
Solving Problems	77
Finding Solutions	78
Accessing Help	80
Error Messages	80
Video and Display Problems	81
If the display is blank	81
If the display is difficult to read	82
If only part of the display is readable	83
Scanner Problems	83
Drive Problems	84
If you cannot save a file to a floppy drive	84
If you have problems with a hard drive	85
PC Card Problems	85
General Program Problems	86
A program crashes	86
A program stops responding	86
Error messages appear	86
Resolving Other Technical Problems	86
If Your Computer Gets Wet	87
If You Drop or Damage Your Computer	88
Drivers	88
What Is a Driver?	88
Identifying Drivers	89
Reinstalling Drivers	89
Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP	91
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	92
Using System Restore	93
Creating a Restore Point	93
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State	93
Undoing the Last System Restore	94
Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP	95
Before You Reinstall	95
Reinstalling Windows XP	95
Adding and Replacing Parts	99
Before You Add or Replace Parts	100
Memory	100
Modem	103
Hard Drive	104
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell	106
CD or DVD Drive	106
Keyboard	108
Appendix	113
Specifications	114
Using the System Setup Program	121
Overview	121
Viewing the System Setup Screens	121
System Setup Screens	121
Commonly Used Options	122
System and Battery Performance Optimization	123
System Performance Overview	123
Optimizing Power Consumption and Battery Charge Time	124
Variable Speed Fan	124
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S.Only)	125
Definition of \	125
Definition of \	126
Contacting Dell	126
Regulatory Notices	144
NOM Information (Mexico Only)	145
Limited Warranties and Return Policy	147
Limited Warranty for the Dell-Branded Hardware Products (U.S. Only)	147
\	150
Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (Canada Only)	150
\	153
Dell Software and Peripherals (Canada Only)	154
1-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee (Latin America and the CaribbeanOnly)	155