Dell Xps Gen 2 Manual

							Using a Battery31
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
 CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this chapter, follow the safety instructions in the 
Product Information Guide.
 
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 main battery installed at all times, and always connect your 
computer to the AC adapter and an electrical outlet whenever possible. Use a battery to run the 
computer when it is not connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard 
equipment in the battery bay.
 NOTE: Battery operating time (the time a 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 DVD+RW/DVD+R drives
 Using wireless communications devices, PC 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. For more information, see the 
Dell 
Inspiron Help
 file. To access the help file, see page 9. 
 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 before or after you insert the battery into the computer. You 
can also set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low.
 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 lithium-ion battery is designed to work 
with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer. 
 
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.
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							32Using a Battery
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
 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 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. For 
more information about Dell QuickSet, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, 
see page 9.
The Battery Meter window displays status, charge level, and charge completion time for the 
battery in your computer.
The following icons appear in the Battery Meter window:
For more 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 more information about the Power Meter, see 
Power Management in the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see page 9. 
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a   icon appears.
Charge Gauge
Press 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 the battery 
has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights appear, the battery 
has no charge.
The computer or docking device is running on battery power.
The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is charging.
The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is fully charged.
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							Using a Battery33
Low-Battery Warning
 NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. 
Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate 
mode begins automatically.
A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. For 
more information about low-battery alarms, see Power Management in the Dell Inspiron Help 
file. To access the help file, see page 9.
Charging the Battery
 NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 2 hours with the 
computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the 
computer as long as you like. The battery’s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.
When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is 
connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge and temperature. If 
necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.
If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, the 
battery may not charge when you connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
The battery is too hot to start charging if the   light flashes alternately green and orange. 
Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and allow the computer and the battery to 
cool to room temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue 
charging the battery.
For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see Power Problems on page 71.
Removing a Battery
 CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.
1Ensure that the computer is turned off.
2If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation 
that came with your docking device for instructions.
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							34Using a Battery
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
3Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove 
the battery from the bay.
Installing a Battery
1Slide the battery lengthwise into the bay at a 45-degree angle.
2Press the other side down until the latch release clicks.
Storing a Battery
Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery 
discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully 
before you use it.
battery battery charge gauge battery-bay latch release
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							Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia35
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Using CDs and DVDs
For information about using CDs and DVDs in your computer, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. 
To access the help file, see page 9.
Copying CDs and DVDs
 NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs or DVDs.
This section applies only to computers that have a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, or 
DVD/CD-RW combo drive.
 NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may vary by country.
The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD. You can also use 
Sonic RecordNow for other purposes, including creating CDs from audio files on your computer 
and creating MP3 CDs. For instructions, see the Sonic RecordNow documentation that came 
with your computer. Open Sonic RecordNow, click the question mark icon in the upper-right 
corner of the window, and then click RecordNow Help or RecordNow Tutorial.
How to Copy a CD or DVD
 NOTE: If you have a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and you experience recording problems, check for 
available software patches at the Sonic support website at www.sonic.com.
Currently, five DVD-writable disc formats are available: DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, 
DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to 
DVD+R and DVD+RW media, and they can read DVD-R and DVD-RW media. However, 
DVD-writable drives do not write to and might not read DVD-RAM media. In addition, 
commercially available DVD players for home theater systems might not read all five formats.
 NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Sonic 
RecordNow.
1Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Sonic→ RecordNow!, and then click 
RecordNow!
2Click either the audio tab or the data tab, depending on the kind of CD or DVD you want to 
copy.
3Click Exact Copy.
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							36Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
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4To copy a CD or DVD:

If you have one CD or DVD drive, ensure that the settings are correct and click Copy. The 
computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies it to a temporary folder on your 
computer hard drive.
When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and click 
OK.

If you have two CD or DVD drives, select the drive into which you have inserted your 
source CD or DVD and click 
Copy. The computer copies the data on the CD or DVD to 
the blank CD or DVD.
When you have finished copying the source CD or DVD, the CD or DVD that you have 
created automatically ejects.
Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs
Your CD-RW drive can write to two different types of recording media—CD-Rs and CD-RWs 
(including high-speed CD-RWs). Use blank CD-Rs to record music or permanently store data files. 
After creating a CD-R, you cannot write to that CD-R again (see the Sonic documentation for more 
information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.
Your DVD-writable drive can write to four different types of recording media—CD-Rs, 
CD-RWs (including high-speed CD-RWs), DVD+Rs, and DVD+RWs. Blank DVD+Rs can be 
used to permanently store large amounts of information. After you create a DVD+R disc, you 
may not be able to write to that disc again if the disc is finalized or closed during the final 
stage of the disc creation process. Use blank DVD+RWs if you plan to erase, rewrite, or update 
information on that disc later.
Helpful Tips
 Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after 
you start Sonic RecordNow and open a RecordNow project.
 You must use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. 
CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos.
 You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic RecordNow.
 Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software 
installed. 
 Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a 
650-MB file to a 650-MB blank CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1 or 2 MB of the blank CD to 
finalize the recording. 
 Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording 
techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You 
can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project 
permanently to a blank CD-R. 
 See the Sonic website at 
www.sonic.com for additional information.
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							Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia37
Using Dell MediaDirect 
 NOTE: QuickSet, which is automatically installed and enabled on your computer, is necessary for Dell 
MediaDirect to function. Changing or disabling QuickSet’s default settings can limit Dell MediaDirect’s 
functionality. For more information about Dell QuickSet, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help 
file, see Help File on page 9.
If you have Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition or Dell Media Experience installed, you can 
use Dell MediaDirect to launch your media application by pressing the play/pause/Dell 
MediaDirect button . 
 If you hold the media control play button for longer than two seconds while you are logged in, 
Dell MediaDirect launches Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition or Dell Media 
Experience, depending on your system setup. If both applications are present, Windows 
Media Center Edition will launch.
 When your computer is open, you can press the media control play button to start the 
computer from any state and automatically launch the media application. 
 NOTE: For optimal efficiency, launch from hibernate or standby mode.
play/pause/Dell MediaDirect button
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							38Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
 NOTE: Video and audio cables for connecting your computer to a TV or other audio device are not 
included with your computer. Cables may be purchased at most consumer electronics stores. The 
TV/digital audio adapter cable is available for purchase from Dell.
Your computer has an S-video TV-out connector that, together with the TV/digital audio 
adapter cable (available from Dell), enables you to connect the computer to a TV and/or stereo 
audio device. The TV/digital audio adapter cable provides connectors for an S-video cable, a 
composite video cable, and an S/PDIF digital audio cable.
Your TV has either an S-video input connector or a composite video-input connector. 
Depending on what type of connector is available on your TV, you can use a commercially 
available S-video cable or composite video cable to connect your computer to your TV. For audio 
devices without support for S/PDIF digital audio, you can use the audio connector on the side of 
the computer to connect the computer to your audio device.
It is recommended that you connect video and audio cables to your computer in one of the 
following combinations.
 NOTE: See the diagrams at the beginning of each subsection to help you determine which method of 
connection you should use.
 S-video and standard audio (page 39)
 S-video and S/PDIF digital audio (page 40)
 Composite video and standard audio (page 42)
 Composite video and S/PDIF digital audio (page 43)
When you finish connecting the video and audio cables between your computer and your TV, 
you must enable your computer to work with the TV. See Enabling the Display Settings for a 
TV on page 45 to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV. 
Additionally, if you are using S/PDIF digital audio, see Changing Your Audio Settings on 
page 45.
S-video input 
connector composite video-input 
connector S/PDIF digital audio 
connector S-video TV-out 
connectorTV/digital audio 
adapter cable
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							Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia39
S-Video and Standard Audio
1Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to connect.
 NOTE: You can connect an S-video cable directly to the S-video TV-out connector on the computer 
(without the TV/digital audio adapter cable) if your TV or audio device supports S-video but not S/PDIF 
digital audio.
2Connect the TV/digital audio adapter cable to the S-video TV-out connector on your 
computer.
TV/digital audio 
adapter cable
S-video cable
standard 
audio cable
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							40Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
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3Plug one end of the S-video cable in to the S-video input connector on the TV/digital audio 
adapter cable.
4Plug the other end of the S-video cable in to the S-video input connector on your TV.
5Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable in to the headphone connector on your 
computer.
6Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable in to the audio input 
connectors on your TV or other audio device.
7Turn on the TV and any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on the 
computer.
8See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV on page 45 to ensure that the computer 
recognizes and works properly with the TV.
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
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