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Setting Up Your Computer

Dell™ Inspiron™ 1420 Owner's Manual

  Connecting to the Internet

  Transferring Information to a New Computer

  Setting Up a Printer

  Power Protection Devices

Connecting to the Internet

NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.

To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options:

• DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line or cellular telephone service. With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same line simultaneously.
  
  
• Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local cable TV line.
  
  
• Satellite modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through a satellite television system.
  
  
• Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL, cable, and satellite modem connections.
  
  
• Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) or Mobile Broadband technology provides a connection to the Internet using cellular technology at broadband rates.
  
  
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connections use high-frequency radio waves to communicate. Typically, a wireless router is connected to the broadband cable or DSL modem that broadcasts the Internet signal to your computer.
  
  

If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL, cable, or satellite modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut:

1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
   
   
2. Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop.
   
   
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
   
   

NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems. If you cannot connect to the Internet, but have successfully connected in the past, the ISP may have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.

NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet wizard can help you obtain one.

If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP:

1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
   
   
2. Click Start , and then click Control Panel.
   
   
3. Under Network and Internet, click Connect to the Internet.
   
   

The Connect to the Internet window appears.

4. Click either Broadband (PPPoE), Wireless, or Dial-up, depending on how you want to connect:
   
   
   • Choose Broadband if you will use a DSL modem, cable TV modem, or satellite modem.
     
     
   • Choose Wireless if you will use a wireless connection through a WLAN card.
     
     
   • Choose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up modem or ISDN.
     
     

NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me choose or contact your ISP.

5. Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
   
   

Transferring Information to a New Computer

You can transfer the following types of data from one computer to another:

• E-mail messages
  
  
• Toolbar settings
  
  
• Window sizes
  
  
• Internet bookmarks
  
  

Use one of the following methods for transferring data:

• Windows Easy Transfer wizard, an Easy Transfer Cable, and a USB port
  
  
• Over a network
  
  
• Removable media, such as a writable CD
  
  

Windows Easy Transfer

1. Click Start ® All Programs ® Accessories ® System Tools ® Windows Easy Transfer.
   
   
2. In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
   
   
3. Click Next.
   
   
4. Click Start a new transfer or Continue a transfer in progress.
   
   
5. Follow the instructions in the Windows Easy Transfer wizard.
   
   

Setting Up a Printer

NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer.

See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to:

• Obtain and install updated drivers.
  
  
• Connect the printer to the computer.
  
  
• Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge.
  
  

For technical assistance, refer to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer.

Printer Cable

Your printer connects to your computer with a USB cable. Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer and computer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer's shipping box.

Connecting a USB Printer

NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.

1. Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so.
   
   
2. Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer. The USB connectors fit only one way.
   
   

1	USB connector on computer	2	USB connector on printer
3	USB printer cable

3. Turn on the printer, and then turn on the computer.
   
   

If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel.

4. Click Start , and then click Network.
   
   
5. Click Add a printer to start the Add Printer Wizard.
   
   

NOTE: To install the printer driver, see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities and the documentation that came with your printer.

6. Click Add a local printer or Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer.
   
   
7. Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard.
   
   

Power Protection Devices

Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures:

• Surge protectors
  
  
• Line conditioners
  
  
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
  
  

Surge Protectors

Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help prevent damage to your computer from voltage spikes that can occur during electrical storms or after power interruptions. Some surge protector manufacturers include warranty coverage for certain types of damage. Carefully read the device warranty when choosing a surge protector. A device with a higher joule rating offers more protection. Compare joule ratings to determine the relative effectiveness of different devices.

NOTICE: Most surge protectors do not protect against power fluctuations or power interruptions caused by nearby lightning strikes. When lightning occurs in your area, disconnect the telephone line from the telephone wall jack and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.

Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. See the surge protector documentation for modem connection instructions.

NOTICE: Not all surge protectors offer network adapter protection. Disconnect the network cable from the network wall jack during electrical storms.

Line Conditioners

NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions.

Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in data loss or file damage.

NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to a UPS. Connect other devices, such as a printer, to a separate power strip that provides surge protection.

A UPS protects against power fluctuations and interruptions. UPS devices contain a battery that provides temporary power to connected devices when AC power is interrupted. The battery charges while AC power is available. See the UPS manufacturer documentation for information on battery operating time and to ensure that the device is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

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