DELL inspiron 4100 User Manual

							A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150 
NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. Do no\
t 
plug a telephone line into the network connector. 
S-Video TV-Out Connector 
  Connects your computer to a TV.
Air Vent — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, \
which 
prevents the computer from overheating.
HINT: The computer turns on the fans when the computer gets hot. The fans may \
make noise, which is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan\
s or the 
computer. 
  CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the 
air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such\
 as a 
closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damag\
e the 
computer or cause a fire.
Back View
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the 
computer before you disconnect an external device. 
 CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the 
air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such\
 as a 
closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damag\
e the 
computer or cause a fire.
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							A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150 
 
Fan — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, \
which prevents 
the computer from overheating.
Serial Connector 
  Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device.
Parallel Connector 
  Connects a parallel device, such as a printer. You can also 
connect the optional floppy drive directly to the parallel connector 
using the optional floppy drive cable.
Docking Connector 
HINT: Docking devices may not be available in some countries. 
  Connects the optional docking device. A docking device allows you 
to easily use external devices with your computer, such as an 
external keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
See the documentation that came with your docking device for 
additional information.
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							A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150 
PS/2 Connector 
HINT: You can use the integrated keyboard and an external keyboard at the same\
 
time. When you attach a PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 numeric keypad, the integr\
ated 
keypad is disabled. 
 Connects PS/2-compatible devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, 
or external numeric keypad.
Shut down the computer before attaching or removing a PS/2-
compatible device. If the device does not work, install the device 
drivers from the floppy disk or CD that came with the device, and 
restart the computer.
USB Connector 
  Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
Video Connector 
  Connects an external monitor. For more information, see Using 
the Display in the Tell Me How help file (see 
Accessing Help).
AC Adapter Connector — Attach the AC adapter to the computer.
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							A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150 
 
The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the compute\
r. You can 
connect the AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off.
  CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, 
power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an 
incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip\
 or 
electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter from the computer, grasp the adapter \
cable connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avo\
id damaging the 
cable. 
Bottom View
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							A Tour of Your Computer: Dell Inspiron 4150 
 
Fan — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, \
which prevents 
the computer from overheating.
Device Latch Releases — Press a latch release to remove a device in the module or battery 
bay.
Memory Module Cover — Protects the memory module(s), the optional Mini PCI card, and 
the optional modem (see 
Memory Modules, Mini PCI Card, and Modem).
Docking Device Latch — Latches onto the docking device.
Back to Contents Page
 
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Back to Contents Page 
Solving Problems 
Dell™ Inspiron™ 4150 
  Accessing Help
  Power Problems
  Error Messages
  Video and Display Problems
  Sound and Speaker 
Problems
  Printer Problems
  Modem and Internet 
Connection Problems
  Scanner Problems
  Touch Pad or Mouse 
Problems
  External Keyboard Problems
  Unexpected Characters
  Drive Problems
  PC Card Problems
  Network Problems
  General Program Problems
  E-Mail Problems
  If Your Computer Gets Wet
  If You Drop or Damage Your 
Computer
  Resolving Other Technical 
Problems
Accessing Help
To access the Tell Me How help file — 1.  Click the Start button and then click Help and Support. 
2.  Click User and system guides and then click Users guides. 
3.  Click Tell Me How. 
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
To access help in Microsoft® Windows® XP — 1.  Click the Start button and then click Help and Support. 
2.  Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then click the\
  arrow icon. 
3.  Click the topic that describes your problem. 
4.  Follow the instructions shown on the screen. 
Power Problems
HINT: See the Tell Me How help file for information on power management 
modes (see 
Accessing Help). 
Check the power light — When the power light is lit or blinking, the 
computer has power. If the light is blinking, the computer is in standby\
 
mode—press the power button to exit a standby mode. If the light is o\
ff, 
the computer is either in a power management mode or off—press the 
power button to exit a power management mode or to turn on the 
computer.
Charge the battery — The battery charge may be depleted. 1.  Reinstall the battery. 
2.  Use the AC adapter to connect the computer to an electrical outlet. \
3.  Turn on the computer. 
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Check the battery status light — If the battery status light flashes 
orange or is a steady orange, the battery charge is low or depleted. 
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
If the battery status light flashes green and orange, the battery is too\
 hot 
to charge. Shut down the computer, disconnect the computer from the 
electrical outlet, and then let the battery and computer cool to room 
temperature.
If the battery status light rapidly flashes orange, the battery may be 
defective. Contact Dell. See your Owners Manual for contact information.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by 
testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Check the AC adapter — Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the 
AC adapter has a light, ensure that the light is on.
Connect the computer directly to an electrical outlet — Bypass power 
protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify that\
 the 
computer turns on.
Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent 
lights, halogen lamps, or other appliances.
Adjust the power properties — Your computer may be in standby or 
hibernate mode. For information on power management modes, see the Tell 
Me How help file, or search for the keyword standby or hibernate in the 
Windows XP Help and Support Center (see 
Accessing Help).
Reseat the memory modules — If the computer power light turns on but 
the display remains blank, 
reseat the memory modules.
Error Messages
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating sy\
stem or the 
program that was running at the time the message appeared.The file being copied is too large for the destination drive — The file 
that you are trying to copy is too large to fit on the disk, or the disk\
 is too 
full. Try copying the file to a different disk or use a larger capacity \
disk.
A filename cannot contain any of the following characters:  / : * ? 
 < > | — Do not use these characters in filenames.
Insert bootable media — The operating system is trying to boot to a 
nonbootable floppy disk or CD. Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Non-system disk or disk error — A floppy disk is in the floppy drive. 
Remove the floppy disk and restart the computer.
Not enough memory or resources. Exit some programs and try again 
— You have too many programs open. Close all windows and open the 
program that you want to use.
Operating system not found — Contact Dell. See your Owners Manual 
for contact information.
A required .DLL file was not found — The program that you are trying to 
open is missing an essential file. Remove and then reinstall the program\
. 1.  Click the Start button and then click Control Panel. 
2.  Click Add or Remove Programs. 
3.  Select the program you want to remove. 
4.  Click Remove or Change/Remove and follow the prompts on the  screen. 
5.  See the program documentation for installation instructions. 
x: is not accessible. The device is not ready — Insert a disk into the 
drive and try again.
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Video and Display Problems
If the display is blank 
HINT: If you are using a program that requires a higher resolution than your 
computer supports, Dell recommends that you attach an external monitor t\
o 
your computer. 
Check the 
 light — When the  light is blinking, the computer has 
power. 
l     If the  light is blinking, the computer is in standby mode—press 
the power button to exit standby mode. 
l     If the  light is off, press the power button.
l     If the  light is on, your power management settings may have 
caused the display to turn off. Try pressing the power button.
Check the battery — If you are using a battery to power your computer, 
the battery charge may be depleted. Connect the computer to an electrica\
l 
outlet using the AC adapter, and turn on the computer.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by 
testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Check the AC adapter — Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the 
AC adapter has a light, ensure that it is on.
Connect the computer directly to an electrical outlet — Bypass power 
protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify that\
 the 
computer turns on.
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