Determining Your Computer's Configuration
Dell™ Inspiron™ 1420 Owner's Manual
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:
, and then click Help and Support.
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.
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1 |
camera indicator |
2 |
camera (optional) |
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3 |
digital microphones (2) |
4 |
display |
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5 |
media control buttons |
6 |
touch pad |
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7 |
touch pad buttons |
8 |
microphone connector |
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9 |
headphone connectors (2) |
10 |
wireless switch |
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11 |
device status lights |
12 |
8-in-1 memory card reader |
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13 |
keyboard |
14 |
Dell™ MediaDirect™ button |
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15 |
keyboard status lights |
16 |
power button |
Camera Indicator —
Indicates camera ON/OFF status.
camera —
Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat. Based on configuration selections you made when ordering your computer, your computer may not include a camera.
Digital Microphones —
Digital directional microphones for conferencing and chat.
display —
For more information about your display, see Using the Display.
media control buttons —
Control CD, DVD, and Media Player playback.
|
| Mute the sound. |
| Play the previous track. |
|
| Turn the volume down. |
| Play the next track. |
|
| Turn the volume up. |
| Stop. |
| Play or pause. |
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|
touch pad —
Provides the functionality of a mouse (see Touch Pad).
touch pad buttons —
Use these buttons much like the buttons on a mouse when you use the touch pad to move the cursor on the display (see Touch Pad).
headphone connectors —
Dual headphone connectors for attaching headphones.
microphone connector — Attach a microphone to this connector.
wireless switch —
When enabled through Dell QuickSet, this switch can scan for a wireless LAN (WLAN) in your vicinity. You can also use it to rapidly turn off or on any wireless devices such as WLAN cards and internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology.
The lights located on the palm rest towards the front of the computer indicate the following:
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the 
light operates as follows:
If the computer is running on a battery, the 
light operates as follows:
8-in-1 memory card reader —
keyboard —
The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft Windows logo key.
Dell™ MediaDirect™ button —
Press the Dell MediaDirect button to launch Dell MediaDirect (see Using Dell MediaDirect™).
The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
| Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled. |
| Turns on when the uppercase letter (caps lock) function is enabled. |
| Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled. |
power button —
Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power management mode (see Configuring Power Management Settings).
|
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft® Windows® operating system shutdown rather than by pressing the power button. |
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (may take several seconds).
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1 |
security cable slot |
2 |
AC adapter connector |
|
3 |
air vents |
4 |
IEEE 1394a connector |
|
5 |
USB connectors (2) |
6 |
ExpressCard slot |
security cable slot —
Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer (see Security Cable Lock).
AC adapter connector —
Attaches an AC adapter to the computer. The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned 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. |
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|
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly, but gently to help prevent damage to the cable. |
air vents —
The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating. The computer turns the fan on when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer.
IEEE 1394a connector —
Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394a high-speed transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.
USB connectors
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
ExpressCard slot —
Supports one ExpressCard. The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see ExpressCards.
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1 |
optical drive |
2 |
eject button |
|
3 |
S-video TV-out connector |
4 |
USB connectors (2) |
|
5 |
video connector (VGA) |
|
|
optical drive —
For more information about the optical drive, see Using Multimedia.
eject button —
Press the eject button to open the optical drive.
S-video TV-out connector
Connects your computer to a TV. Also connects digital audio-capable devices using the TV/digital audio adapter cable.
USB connectors
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
video connector
Connects video devices, such as a monitor.
|
1 |
modem connector (RJ-11) |
2 |
network connector (RJ-45) |
modem connector (RJ-11)
Connects the telephone line to the modem connector. For information on using the modem, see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer.
network connector (RJ-45)
Connects the computer to a network. The two lights next to the connector indicate status and activity for wired network connections. For information on using the network adapter, see the device user's guide supplied with your computer.
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1 |
battery-bay latch releases (2) |
2 |
hard drive |
|
3 |
battery |
4 |
battery charge/health gauge |
|
5 |
processor and thermal module cover |
6 |
memory module/coin-cell battery/bluetooth/modem compartment cover |
battery-bay latch releases —
Releases the battery (see Replacing the Battery for instructions).
hard drive —
Stores software and data.
battery —
When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet (see Using a Battery).
battery charge/health gauge —
Provides information on the battery charge (see Checking the Battery Charge).
processor and thermal module cover —
Covers the processor and thermal module.
memory module/coin-cell/bluetooth/modem battery compartment —
Compartment that contains the memory modules, modem, bluetooth, and the coin-cell battery. For additional information, see Adding and Replacing Parts.
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NOTE: Bluetooth is optional and may not be included in your computer. |
light turns on only if you ordered the card with your computer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your card.
icon in the notification area, and then click 
