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Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card

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Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card NOTE: If you are unable to connect to a wireless network, ensure that you have all the components for establishing a WLAN (see "What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection" on page 70), and then verify that your wireless network card is enabled by pressing . You can turn your computer's wireless networking function on and off by pressing the key combination. If the wireless networking function is turned on, press to disable it. If the wireless networking function is turned off, press to enable it. Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell™ QuickSet The wireless activity indicator provides an easy way to monitor the status of your computer's wireless devices. Right-click the Dell QuickSet icon in your taskbar to select or deselect Wireless Activity Indicator Off to turn the wireless activity indicator on or off. The wireless activity indicator indicates whether your computer's wireless devices are enabled or disabled. When you turn the wireless networking function on or off, the wireless activity indicator changes to display the status. For more information about the wireless activity indicator, see the Dell QuickSet Help file. For information about QuickSet and how to access the Dell QuickSet Help file, see "Dell™ QuickSet Features" on page 129. Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) Much like a WLAN, a Mobile Broadband network (also known as a WWAN) is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other through wireless technology. However, a Mobile Broadband network uses cellular technology and therefore provides Internet access in the same varied locations from which cellular telephone service is available. Your computer can maintain the Mobile Broadband network connection regardless of its physical location, as long as the computer remains in the service area of your cellular service provider. What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection NOTE: Depending on your computer, you can use either a Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card, but not both, to establish a Mobile Broadband network connection. To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need: • A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card (depending on your computer's configuration) For instructions on using ExpressCards, see "ExpressCards" on page 65. 74 Setting Up a Network

Section	Page
Owner’s Manual	1
Finding Information	11
About Your Computer	15
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration	15
Front View	16
Left Side View	20
Right Side View	21
Back View	22
Bottom View	24
Setting Up Your Computer	25
Connecting to the Internet	25
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	25
Transferring Information to a New Computer	26
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System CD	26
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System CD	27
Setting Up a Printer	29
Printer Cable	29
Connecting a USB Printer	29
Power Protection Devices	30
Surge Protectors	30
Line Conditioners	31
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	31
Using the Display	33
Adjusting Brightness	33
Switching the Video Image	33
Setting Display Resolution	33
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad	35
Numeric Keypad	35
Key Combinations	36
System Functions	36
Display Functions	36
Power Management	36
Speaker Functions	36
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	37
QuickSet Key Combinations	37
Adjusting Keyboard Settings	37
Touch Pad	38
Customizing the Touch Pad	38
Using a Battery	39
Battery Performance	39
Checking the Battery Charge	40
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter	40
Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter	40
Charge Gauge	40
Low-Battery Warning	41
Conserving Battery Power	41
Power Management Modes	41
Configuring Power Management Settings	43
Charging the Battery	43
Replacing the Battery	43
Storing a Battery	44
Using Multimedia	45
Playing CDs or DVDs	45
Copying CDs and DVDs	46
How to Copy a CD or DVD	46
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	47
Helpful Tips	47
Adjusting the Volume	48
Adjusting the Picture	49
Using Dell Media Experience™ and Dell MediaDirect™	49
If the computer is turned on or in standby mode	49
If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode	49
Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help	50
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device	50
S-Video and Standard Audio	52
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	53
Composite Video and Standard Audio	55
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	56
Component Video and Standard Audio	58
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	60
Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones	62
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV	63
Using Cards	65
ExpressCards	65
ExpressCard Blanks	65
Installing an ExpressCard	65
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank	66
Media Memory Cards	67
Installing a Media Memory Card	67
Removing a Media Memory Card	68
Setting Up a Network	69
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem	69
Network Setup Wizard	70
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)	70
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection	70
Checking Your Wireless Network Card	70
Setting Up a New WLAN	71
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network	72
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card	74
Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell™ QuickSet	74
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)	74
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	74
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network	75
Securing Your Computer	77
Security Cable Lock	77
Passwords	77
Computer Tracking Software	78
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen	78
Solving Problems	79
Dell Diagnostics	79
Dell Support Utility	82
Accessing the Dell Support Utility	82
Clicking the Dell Support Icon	82
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon	82
Drive Problems	83
CD and DVD drive problems	83
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray	83
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound	84
Hard drive problems	84
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	84
Error Messages	85
ExpressCard Problems	89
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	89
Keyboard Problems	90
External Keyboard problems	90
Unexpected characters	91
Lockups and Software Problems	91
The computer does not start up	91
The computer stops responding	91
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly	91
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system	91
A solid blue screen appears	92
Dell MediaDirect problems	92
Other software problems	92
Memory Problems	93
Network Problems	93
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN])	94
Power Problems	94
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer	95
Printer Problems	95
Scanner Problems	96
Sound and Speaker Problems	97
No sound from integrated speakers	97
No sound from external speakers	97
No sound from headphones	97
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	98
Video and Display Problems	98
If the display is blank	98
If the display is difficult to read	99
If only part of the display is readable	99
Drivers	99
What Is a Driver?	99
Identifying Drivers	100
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	100
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	102
Restoring Your Operating System	102
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore	103
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec	104
Using the Operating System CD	106
Adding and Replacing Parts	109
Before You Begin	109
Recommended Tools	109
Turning Off Your Computer	109
Before Working Inside Your Computer	110
Optical Drive	111
Hard Drive	112
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell	114
Memory	114
Modem	117
Hinge Cover	118
Keyboard	119
Wireless Mini-Card	121
Coin-Cell Battery	124
Display	125
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology	127
Dell™ QuickSet Features	129
Traveling With Your Computer	131
Identifying Your Computer	131
Packing the Computer	131
Travel Tips	132
Traveling by Air	132
Contacting Dell	133
Specifications	155
Appendix	163
Using the System Setup Program	163
Viewing the System Setup Screen	163
System Setup Screen	163
Commonly Used Options	164
Cleaning Your Computer	165
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	165
Touch Pad	165
Floppy Drive	166
CDs and DVDs	166
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	166
Definition of \	167
Definition of \	167
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	167
FCC Class B	167
Macrovision Product Notice	168
Glossary	169

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Setting Up a Network

Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card

NOTE:

If you are unable to connect to a wireless network, ensure that you have all the components for

establishing a WLAN (see "What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection" on page 70), and then verify that your

wireless network card is enabled by pressing <Fn><F2>.

You can turn your computer’s wireless networking function on and off by pressing the <Fn><F2> key

combination. If the wireless networking function is turned on, press <Fn><F2> to disable it. If the

wireless networking function is turned off, press <Fn><F2> to enable it.

Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell™ QuickSet

The wireless activity indicator provides an easy way to monitor the status of your computer’s wireless

devices. Right-click the Dell QuickSet icon in your taskbar to select or deselect

Wireless Activity

Indicator Off

to turn the wireless activity indicator on or off.

The wireless activity indicator indicates whether your computer’s wireless devices are enabled or

disabled. When you turn the wireless networking function on or off, the wireless activity indicator

changes to display the status.

For more information about the wireless activity indicator, see the

Dell QuickSet Help

file. For

information about QuickSet and how to access the

Dell

QuickSet Help

file, see "Dell™ QuickSet

Features" on page 129.

Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)

Much like a WLAN, a Mobile Broadband network (also known as a WWAN) is a series of interconnected

computers that communicate with each other through wireless technology. However, a Mobile

Broadband network uses cellular technology and therefore provides Internet access in the same varied

locations from which cellular telephone service is available. Your computer can maintain the Mobile

Broadband network connection regardless of its physical location, as long as the computer remains in the

service area of your cellular service provider.

What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection

NOTE:

Depending on your computer, you can use either a Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card, but not

both, to establish a Mobile Broadband network connection.

To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need:

•

A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card (depending on your computer’s configuration)

For instructions on using ExpressCards, see "ExpressCards" on page 65.