Dell Insp 640 M Manual

							Using the Display31
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power by setting the 
brightness to the lowest comfortable setting by pressing  and the up- or down-arrow key on 
the keyboard.
 NOTE: Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your portable computer, not monitors or 
projectors that you attach to your portable computer or docking device. If your computer is connected to an 
external monitor and you try to change the brightness level, the Brightness Meter may appear, but the 
brightness level on the external device does not change.
You can press the following keys to adjust display brightness:
 Press  and the up-arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated display only (not on an 
external monitor).
 Press  and the down-arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only (not on 
an external monitor).
Switching the Video Image
When you start the computer with an external device (such as an external monitor or projector) 
attached and turned on, the image may appear on either the computer display or the external device.
Press  to switch the video image between the display only, the external device only, or 
the display and the external device simultaneously.
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate
To display a program at a specific resolution, both the graphics card and the display must support the 
program, and the necessary video drivers must be installed.
Before you change any of the default display settings, make a note of the default settings for future 
reference.
If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports, the settings adjust 
automatically to the closest supported values.
1
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2Under Pick a category, click Appearance and Themes. 
						

							32Using the Display
3Under Pick a task..., click the area you want to change, or under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Display.
4Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution. 
 NOTE: As the resolution increases, icons and text appear smaller on the screen. 
						

							Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad33
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad
The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external keyboard. Each key on the 
keypad has multiple functions. The keypad numbers and symbols are marked in blue on the right of 
the keypad keys. To type a number or symbol, press  and the desired key after enabling the 
keypad.
 To enable the keypad, press . The  light indicates that the keypad is active.
 To disable the keypad, press  again. 
1numeric keypad
1
9 
						

							34Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Key Combinations
System Functions
Battery
CD or DVD Tray
Display Functions
Radios (Including Wireless Networking and an Internal Card With 
Bluetooth
®Wireless Technology)
Power Management
 Opens the Task Manager window.
 Displays the Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter. This feature 
is not supported in Dell MediaDirect. For more 
information, see Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter on 
page 38. 
 Ejects the tray out of the drive (if Dell QuickSet is 
installed). This feature is not supported in Dell 
MediaDirect. For more information on QuickSet, see 
Dell™ QuickSet Features on page 131.
 Switches the video image to the next display option. The 
options include the integrated display, an external 
monitor, and both displays simultaneously.
 and up-arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only (not 
on an external monitor).
 and down-arrow 
keyDecreases brightness on the integrated display only (not 
on an external monitor).
 Enables and disables radios, including wireless 
networking and Bluetooth wireless technology.
 Activates a power management mode. You can 
reprogram this keyboard shortcut to activate a different 
power management mode using the Advanced tab in the 
Power Options Properties window. See Power 
Management Modes on page 39. 
						

							Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad35
Speaker Functions
Microsoft
® Windows® Logo Key Functions
To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate, open the Control Panel, click Printers 
and Other Hardware, and click Keyboard. For information about the Control Panel, see the Windows 
Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center, see page 13. 
 Increases the volume of the integrated speakers and 
external speakers, if attached.
 Decreases the volume of the integrated speakers and 
external speakers, if attached.
 Enables and disables the integrated speakers and external 
speakers, if attached.
Windows logo key and 
Minimizes all open windows.
Windows logo key and 
Maximizes all windows.
Windows logo key and  Runs Windows Explorer. This opens the same 
window as double-clicking My Computer on your 
desktop. 
Windows logo key and  Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key and  Opens the Search Results dialog box.
Windows logo key and 
Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box 
(if the computer is connected to a network).
Windows logo key and 
Opens the System Properties dialog box. 
						

							36Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Touch Pad
The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you to move the cursor on the 
display. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse.
 To move the cursor, lightly slide your finger over the touch pad.
 To select an object, lightly tap once on the surface of the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left 
touch-pad button.
 To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch 
pad. On the second tap, leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding 
your finger over the surface. 
 To double-click an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad or use your 
thumb to press the left touch-pad button twice.
Customizing the Touch Pad
You can use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad or adjust their settings.
1
Open the Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Mouse. For information 
about the Control Panel, see the Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support 
Center, see page 13. 
2In the Mouse Properties window, click the Touch Pad tab to adjust touch pad settings. 
3Click OK to save the settings and close the window.
1touch pad
1 
						

							Using a Battery37
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
 NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or 
separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer.
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell™ portable 
computer with the battery installed at all times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in 
the battery bay.
 NOTE: Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to connect your new computer to an 
electrical outlet the first time you use the computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC 
adapter until the battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, access the Control Panel, click Power 
Options, and then click the Power Meter tab.
 
NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on 
how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new 
battery during the life of your computer.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. Operating time is significantly 
reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the following:
 Using optical drives
 Using wireless communications devices, ExpressCards, media memory cards, or USB devices
 Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs such 
as 3D games
 Running the computer in maximum performance mode (See Configuring Power Management 
Settings on page 41.)
 NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD or DVD.
You can check the battery charge (see Checking the Battery Charge on page 38) before you insert 
the battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the 
battery charge is low. See Configuring Power Management Settings on page 41 for information 
about accessing QuickSet or the Power Options Properties window.
 CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery 
only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell 
computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.  
						

							38Using a Battery
 CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a charge, call 
your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion battery. See Battery 
Disposal in the Product Information Guide.
 
CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture, incinerate, 
disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures above 65°C (149°F). Keep the battery away from children. 
Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may leak and cause personal injury 
or equipment damage. 
Checking the Battery Charge
The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter window and   icon, the 
battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery 
charge.
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter
If Dell QuickSet is installed, press  to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. The Battery 
Meter displays status, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your computer. For 
information about QuickSet, right-click the  icon in the taskbar, and click Help. 
Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter
The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter, double-
click the   icon on the taskbar. For instructions on accessing more information about the Power Meter, 
see Configuring Power Management Settings on page 41.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a   icon appears.
Charge Gauge
By either pressing once or pressing and holding the status button on the charge gauge on the battery, you 
can check:
 Battery charge (check by pressing and releasing the status button)
 Battery health (check by pressing and 
holding the status button)
The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. After hundreds of 
charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose some charge capacity—or battery health. That is, a battery can 
show a status of charged but maintain a reduced charge capacity (health). 
Check the Battery Charge
To check the battery charge, press and release the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate 
the charge-level lights. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For 
example, if four of the lights are on, the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining. If no lights 
appear, the battery has no charge. 
						

							Using a Battery39
Check the Battery Health
 NOTE: You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge on the battery as described 
below or by using the Battery Meter in Dell QuickSet. For information about QuickSet, right-click the   icon in 
the taskbar, and click Help.
To check the battery health using the charge gauge, press and hold the status button on the battery 
charge gauge for at least 3 seconds. If no lights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 
80 percent of its original charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental degradation. If five 
lights appear, less than 60 percent of the charge capacity remains, and you should consider replacing the 
battery. See Specifications on page 157 for more information about the battery operating time.
Low-Battery Warning
 NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning, and then 
connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins 
automatically.
By default, a pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. 
You can change the settings for the battery alarms. See Configuring Power Management Settings on 
page 41 for information about accessing QuickSet or the Power Options Properties window.
Conserving Battery Power
Perform the following actions to conserve battery power:
 Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible because battery life is largely determined 
by the number of times the battery is used and recharged.
 Place the computer in standby mode or hibernate mode when you leave the computer unattended for 
long periods of time. See Power Management Modes on page 39 for more information about standby 
and hibernate modes.
 Use the Power Management Wizard
 to select options to optimize your computer’s power usage. These 
options can also be set to change when you press the power button, close the display, or press 
. See Configuring Power Management Settings on page 41 for more information on 
using the Power Management Wizard.
 NOTE: See Battery Performance on page 37 for more information on conserving battery power.
Power Management Modes
Standby Mode
Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a predetermined 
period of inactivity (a time-out). When the computer exits standby mode, it returns to the same 
operating state it was in before entering standby mode.
 NOTICE: If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby mode, it may lose data. 
						

							40Using a Battery
To enter standby mode:
 Click the Start button, click Turn off computer, and then click Stand by.
or
 Depending on how you set the power management options on the 
Advanced tab (see Configuring 
Power Management Settings on page 41) in the 
Power Options Properties window, use one of the 
following methods:
– Press the power button.
– Close the display.
– Press .
To exit standby mode, press the power button or open the display depending on how you set the options 
on the Advanced tab. You cannot make the computer exit standby mode by pressing a key or touching 
the touch pad.
Hibernate Mode
Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive and then 
completely turning off the computer. When the computer exits hibernate mode, it returns to the same 
operating state it was in before entering hibernate mode.
 NOTICE: You cannot remove devices or undock your computer while your computer is in hibernate mode.
Your computer enters hibernate mode if the battery charge level becomes critically low.
To manually enter hibernate mode:
Click the Start button, click Turn off computer, press and hold , and then click Hibernate.
or
 Depending on how you set the power management options on the 
Advanced tab in the Power Options 
Properties
 window, use one of the following methods to enter hibernate mode:
– Press the power button.
– Close the display.
– Press .
 NOTE: Some ExpressCards may not operate correctly after the computer exits hibernate mode. Remove and 
reinsert the card (see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank on page 66), or simply restart (reboot) your computer.
To exit hibernate mode, press the power button. The computer may take a short time to exit hibernate 
mode. You cannot make the computer exit hibernate mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad. 
For more information on hibernate mode, see the documentation that came with your operating system.