Dell Xps Gen 2 Manual

							Using PC Cards51
Using PC Cards
PC Card Types
See Specifications on page 103 for information on supported PCMCIA cards and PC Card 
slots.
The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II card. The PC Card 
slot supports CardBus technology and extended PC Cards. Type of card refers to its thickness, 
not its functionality.
PC Card Blanks
Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the PC Card slot. Blanks protect unused 
slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no PC Card is installed in the 
slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
To remove the blank, see Removing a PC Card or Blank on page 52.
Extended PC Cards
An extended PC Card (for example, a wireless network adapter) is longer than a standard PC 
Card and extends outside the computer. Follow these precautions when using extended PC 
Cards:
 Protect the exposed end of an installed card. Striking the end of the card can damage the 
system board.
 Always remove an extended PC Card before you pack the computer in its carrying case.
Installing a PC Card
You can install a PC Card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer 
automatically detects the card.
PC Cards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) to indicate which 
end to insert into the slot. The cards are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion. If card orientation 
is not clear, see the documentation that came with the card. 
 CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the 
Product Information Guide.
G8011bk2.book  Page 51  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							52Using PC Cards
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
To install a PC Card:
1
Hold the card with the top side of the card facing up. The latch may need to be in the in 
position before you insert the card.
2Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its connector. 
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and 
try again.
 
The computer recognizes most PC Cards and automatically loads the appropriate device driver. 
If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturers drivers, use the floppy disk or 
CD that came with the PC Card.
Removing a PC Card or Blank
 NOTICE: Use the PC Card configuration utility (click the  icon in the taskbar) to select a card and 
stop it from functioning before you remove it from the computer. If you do not stop the card in the 
configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not attempt to eject a card by pulling its cable, if one is 
attached.
G8011bk2.book  Page 52  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							Using PC Cards53
 CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the 
Product Information Guide.
1Press the latch and remove the card or blank. 
For some latches, you must press the latch twice: once to pop the latch out, and then a second 
time to pop the card out.
2Remove the card or blank.
Save a blank to use when no PC Card is installed in a slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust 
and other particles.
G8011bk2.book  Page 53  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							54Using PC Cards
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
G8011bk2.book  Page 54  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							Setting Up a Home and Office Network55
Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Connecting to a Network Adapter
Before you connect your computer to a network, the computer must have a network adapter 
installed and a network cable connected to it.
To connect a network cable:
1
Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer.
 NOTE: Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure.
2Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device, such as a 
network wall connector.
 NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall connector.
G8011bk2.book  Page 55  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							56Setting Up a Home and Office Network
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Network Setup Wizard
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you 
through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a 
home or small office.
1
Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Accessories→ Communications, and then 
click 
Network Setup Wizard.
2On the welcome screen, click Next.
3Click Checklist for creating a network.
 NOTE: Selecting the connection method labeled This computer connects directly to the Internet 
enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).
4Complete the checklist and required preparations.
5Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
 NOTE: These networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Bluetooth® wireless 
technology or cellular products.
Determining Your Network Type
 NOTE: Most wireless networks are of the infrastructure type. 
Wireless networks fall into two categories—infrastructure networks and ad-hoc networks. An 
infrastructure network uses routers or access points to connect several computers. An ad-hoc 
network does not use routers or access points and consists of computers that broadcast to one 
another. For additional assistance with setting up your wireless connection, go to 
support.dell.com and search for the keyword wireless setup.
ad-hoc network infrastructure network
G8011bk2.book  Page 56  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							Setting Up a Home and Office Network57
Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP
Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers in order to connect to a 
network. The software is already installed. If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the 
instructions included in the users guide for your wireless network card. The user’s guide is 
available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
When you turn on your computer, a pop-up appears from the network icon in the notification 
area (located in the lower-right corner of the Windows desktop) whenever a network is detected 
in the area for which your computer is not configured. 
1
Click either the pop-up or the network icon to configure your computer for one of the 
available wireless networks.
The 
Wireless Network Connections window lists the wireless networks available in your area. 
G8011bk2.book  Page 57  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							58Setting Up a Home and Office Network
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
2Click to select the network you want to configure, and then click Connect or double-click the 
network name in the list. If you select a secure network (identified by a  icon), you must 
enter a WEP or WPA key when prompted. 
 NOTE: Network security settings are unique to your network. Dell cannot provide this information. 
Your network is configured automatically. 
 NOTE: Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network. 
After your computer is configured for the wireless network you selected, another pop-up 
notifies you that your computer is connected to the network you selected. 
Thereafter, whenever you log on to your computer in the area of the wireless network, the 
same pop-up notifies you of the wireless network connection. 
G8011bk2.book  Page 58  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							Solving Problems59
Solving Problems
Dell Diagnostics
 CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the 
Product Information Guide.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in this chapter and run the 
Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
 NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive. The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden 
diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.
 NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, see Contacting Dell on page 113.
1Shut down the computer. 
2If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation 
that came with your docking device for instructions.
3Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
4Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press  immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the 
Microsoft
® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer (see Turning Off Your 
Computer on page 83) and try again. 
5When the boot device list appears, highlight Diagnostics and press .
The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment, a series of initial tests of your system 
board, keyboard, hard drive, and display.
 During the assessment, answer any questions that appear.
 If a failure is detected, the computer stops and beeps. To stop the assessment and restart 
the computer, press ; to continue to the next test, press ; to retest the 
component that failed, press . 
G8011bk2.book  Page 59  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM 
						

							60Solving Problems
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
 If failures are detected during the Pre-boot System Assessment, write down the error 
code(s) and contact Dell before continuing on to the Dell Diagnostics. See Contacting 
Dell on page 113. 
If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, you receive the message 
Booting 
Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition. Press any key to continue
.
6Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard 
drive.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
1After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the 
option you want.
2If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a 
description of the problem. Write down the error code and problem description and follow 
the instructions on the screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell. See Contacting Dell on page 113. 
 NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. If you contact Dell, 
technical support will ask for your Service Tag.
3If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click the applicable tab 
described in the following table for more information.
Option Function
Express Test Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 
10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your 
part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of 
tracing the problem quickly.
Extended Test Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically 
takes an hour or more and requires you to answer 
questions periodically.
Custom Test Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you 
want to run.
Symptom Tree Lists the most common symptoms encountered and 
allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the 
problem you are having.
G8011bk2.book  Page 60  Thursday, March 31, 2005  1:50 PM