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Dell Vostro 1000 Owner's Manual - Page 19

About Your Computer, Determining Your Computer’s Configuration - windows 8

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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 Access the Microsoft® Windows® Help and Support Center. For instructions, see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 17. 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 19

Section	Page
Contents	3
Finding Information	13
About Your Computer	19
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration	19
Front View	20
Left Side View	24
Right Side View	25
Back View	27
Bottom View	29
Setting Up Your Computer	31
Connecting to the Internet	31
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	31
Transferring Information to a New Computer	33
Microsoft® Windows® XP	33
Microsoft Windows Vista®	36
Setting Up a Printer	37
Printer Cable	37
Connecting a USB Printer	37
Power Protection Devices	39
Surge Protectors	39
Line Conditioners	39
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	39
Using the Display	41
Adjusting Brightness	41
Using a Projector	41
Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper	41
Microsoft® Windows® XP	42
Windows Vista®	42
Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display	43
Microsoft® Windows® XP	43
Windows Vista®	44
Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display	44
Microsoft Windows XP	44
Windows Vista	45
Using Catalyst® Control Center	45
Launching Catalyst Control Center	46
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad	47
Numeric Keypad	47
Key Combinations	48
System Functions	48
Battery	48
CD or DVD Tray	48
Display Functions	48
Power Management	48
Speaker Functions	49
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	49
Adjusting Keyboard Settings	49
Touch Pad	50
Customizing the Touch Pad	51
Using a Battery	53
Battery Performance	53
Checking the Battery Charge	54
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter	54
Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter	55
Charge Gauge	55
Low-Battery Warning	56
Conserving Battery Power	56
Power Management Modes	56
Configuring Power Management Settings	58
Accessing Power Options Properties	58
Charging the Battery	58
Replacing the Battery	59
Storing a Battery	60
Using Multimedia	61
Playing a CD or DVD	61
Adjusting the Volume	62
Adjusting the Picture	62
Copying CDs and DVDs	63
How to Copy a CD or DVD	63
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	64
Helpful Tips	65
Adjusting the Volume	66
Adjusting the Picture	67
Using Cards	69
ExpressCards	69
ExpressCard Blanks	69
Installing an ExpressCard	70
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank	71
Media Memory Cards	72
Installing a Media Memory Card	72
Removing a Media Memory Card	73
Setting Up and Using Networks	75
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem	75
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable	75
Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System	76
Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows Vista® Operating System	76
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)	77
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection	77
Checking Your Wireless Network Card	77
Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem	78
Connecting to a WLAN	79
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card	81
Mobile Broadband/Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)	82
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	82
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card	83
Microsoft® Windows® Firewall	83
Securing Your Computer	85
Security Cable Lock	85
Passwords	85
Computer Tracking Software	86
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen	86
Adding and Replacing Parts	89
Before You Begin	89
Recommended Tools	89
Turning Off Your Computer	89
Before Working Inside Your Computer	90
Optical Drive	92
Hard Drive	92
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell	94
Memory	95
Modem	98
Hinge Cover	100
Keyboard	101
Wireless Mini-Card	103
Coin-Cell Battery	106
Display	107
Troubleshooting	111
Dell Technical Update Service	111
Dell Diagnostics	111
Dell Support Center	116
Dell Support	116
Dell PC TuneUp	117
Dell PC Checkup	118
Dell Network Assistant	118
DellConnect	118
Drive Problems	119
Optical drive problems	119
Hard drive problems	120
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	121
Error Messages	123
ExpressCard Problems	128
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	128
Keyboard Problems	129
External Keyboard problems	129
Unexpected characters	130
Lockups and Software Problems	130
The computer does not start	130
The computer stops responding	131
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly	131
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system	131
A solid blue screen appears	132
Dell MediaDirect problems	132
Other software problems	133
Memory Problems	133
Network Problems	134
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN])	135
Power Problems	135
Printer Problems	137
Scanner Problems	138
Sound and Speaker Problems	138
No sound from integrated speakers	139
No sound from external speakers	139
No sound from headphones	139
Remote Control Problems	140
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	140
Video and Display Problems	141
If the display is blank	141
If the display is difficult to read	142
If only part of the display is readable	143
Drivers	143
What Is a Driver?	143
Identifying Drivers	143
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	144
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems	147
Restoring Your Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating System	148
Using Windows Vista System Restore	149
Restoring the Computer to the Default Factory Configuration	151
Using the Operating System Media	152
Restoring Your Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System	153
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore	154
Using Dell™ PC Restore	155
Using the Operating System Media	157
Dell™ QuickSet Features	159
Traveling With Your Computer	161
Identifying Your Computer	161
Packing the Computer	161
Travel Tips	162
Traveling by Air	163
Contacting Dell	165
Specifications	167
Appendix	175
Using the System Setup Program	175
Viewing the System Setup Screens	176
Commonly Used Options	177
Cleaning Your Computer	179
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	179
Touch Pad	180
Mouse	180
Floppy Drive	181
CDs and DVDs	181
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	182
FCC Class B	182
Macrovision Product Notice	183
Glossary	185