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Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia

Dell™ Inspiron™ 640M/ E1405 Owner's Manual

  Playing CDs or DVDs

  Adjusting the Volume

  Adjusting the Picture

  Using Dell Media Experience™ and Dell MediaDirect™

  Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device


Playing CDs or DVDs

NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep the tray closed when you are not using the drive.
NOTICE: Do not move the computer while playing CDs or DVDs.
  1. Press the eject button on the front of the drive.

  2. Pull out the tray.

  1. Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray and snap the disc onto the spindle.

NOTE: If you use a module that shipped with another computer, you need to install the drivers and software necessary to play DVDs or write data. For more information, see the Drivers and Utilities CD (the Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not be available for your computer or in certain countries).
  1. Push the tray back into the drive.

To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the CD software that came with your computer.

NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs.

A CD player includes the following basic buttons:

Play.

Move backward within the current track.

Pause.

Move forward within the current track.

Stop.

Go to the previous track.

Eject.

Go to the next track.

A DVD player includes the following basic buttons:

Stop.

Restart the current chapter.

Play.

Fast forward.

Pause.

Fast reverse.

Advance a single frame while in pause mode.

Go to the next title or chapter.

Continuously play the current title or chapter.

Go to the previous title or chapter.

Eject.

For more information on playing CDs or DVDs, click Help on the CD or DVD player (if available).

Adjusting the Volume

NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing.
  1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs (or Programs)® Accessories® Entertainment (or Multimedia), and then click Volume Control.

  2. In the Volume Control window, click and drag the bar in the Volume Control column and slide it up or down to increase or decrease the volume.

For more information on volume control options, click Help in the Volume Control window.

The Volume Meter displays the current volume level, including mute, on your computer. Either click the icon in the taskbar and select or deselect Disable On Screen Volume Meter, or press the volume control buttons to enable or disable the Volume Meter on the screen.

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volume icon

2

Volume Meter

3

mute icon

When the meter is enabled, adjust the volume with the volume control buttons or by pressing the following keys:

For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar and click Help.

Adjusting the Picture

If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are using too much memory and preventing DVD playback, adjust the display properties.

Microsoft® Windows® XP

  1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

  2. Under Pick a category, click Appearance and Themes.

  3. Under Pick a task..., click Change the screen resolution.

  4. In the Display Properties window, click and drag the bar in Screen resolution to change the setting to 1024 by 768 pixels.

  5. Click the drop-down menu under Color quality, and then click Medium (16 bit).

  6. Click OK.

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Dell MediaDirect button

Using Dell Media Experience™ and Dell MediaDirect™

NOTE: Dell MediaDirect™ is optional and may not ship with your computer.
NOTE: Dell QuickSet 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 Dell™ QuickSet Features.

Press the Dell MediaDirect button, located on the front of the computer, to launch either Dell Media Experience or Dell MediaDirect.

If the computer is on or in standby mode

If you press the Dell MediaDirect button while the computer is on or in standby mode, either Windows XP Media Center Manager or Dell Media Experience launches, depending on your system setup.

If the computer is off or in hibernate mode

When your computer is off or in hibernate mode, you can press the Dell MediaDirect button to start the computer and automatically launch the Dell MediaDirect application.

NOTE: You cannot reinstall the Dell Media Experience or Dell MediaDirect feature if you voluntarily reformat the hard drive. You will need the installation software to reinstall these media applications. Contact Dell for assistance. See Contacting Dell.

1

Dell MediaDirect button

Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help

The Dell media application on your computer provides help information. When you launch the media application, click on the desktop icon for additional help.

Using the Dell MediaDirect™ Repair Utility CD or the Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation CD

Repair Utility CD

NOTE: In some cases, the repair utility is stored on the Drivers and Utilities CD rather than the Repair Utility CD, or it may be available as a download.

Use the Repair Utility CD to repair Dell MediaDirect if:

NOTICE: Do not change the way your hard drive is partitioned unless you are confident of what you are doing.

For more information about using the repair utility, see "Repairing Dell MediaDirect."

Reinstallation CD

Use the Reinstallation CD to reinstall Dell MediaDirect if you are receiving this kit in order to replace your existing hard drive with a new drive. For more information, see "Reinstalling the Dell MediaDirect Software."

Repairing Dell MediaDirect

NOTE: See "Repair Utility CD" to verify that you need to repair Dell MediaDirect rather than reinstall it. If you use the Repair Utility CD when you should be reinstalling Dell MediaDirect, the process may not complete properly.
NOTE: In some cases, the repair utility is stored on the Drivers and Utilities CD rather than the Repair Utility CD, or it may be available as a download.

To repair Dell MediaDirect on your hard drive:

  1. Place the Repair Utility CD (or the Drivers and Utilities CD, if applicable) into the optical drive and restart your computer.

  2. Press the <F12> key as soon as the Dell logo screen appears to enter the boot menu.

  3. Press the down-arrow key to highlight the first CD listing.

  4. Press <Enter> to boot from the CD.

NOTE: If you are using the Drivers and Utilities CD, type <Q> after you boot from the CD.
  1. At the prompt, type cd \MD2 and press <Enter>.

  2. Type Repair and press <Enter>.

The Dell MediaDirect repair utility opens. To use the utility to repair Dell MediaDirect:

  1. Use the arrow keys to select OK and press <Enter>.

  2. When the Done message appears, remove the CD from the drive and press the power button to turn off the computer.

You can now use the Dell MediaDirect button on your computer to launch Dell MediaDirect.

Reinstalling Dell MediaDirect

NOTE: See "Reinstallation CD" to verify that you need to reinstall Dell MediaDirect rather than repair it. If you use the Reinstallation CD when you should be repairing Dell MediaDirect, the process may not complete properly.

Before you can reinstall the actual Dell MediaDirect software, you must prepare your hard drive for the reinstallation. After replacing the hard drive, follow the instructions in "Preparing the Hard Drive for the Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation" while you are installing the Windows XP operating system.

Once you have prepared your hard drive, you can reinstall your hardware drivers and software programs (see the Dell Reinstall Guides at support.dell.com). Then follow the instructions in "Reinstalling the Dell MediaDirect Software."

Preparing the Hard Drive for the Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation

While you are installing the Windows XP operating system, you must partition the hard drive so that 1308 MB of space is left unpartitioned and reserved for Dell MediaDirect.

NOTE: You can create a maximum of three partitions in addition to the unpartitioned space reserved for Dell MediaDirect.

To create a partition on your hard drive:

  1. Press the <F8> key to agree to the license agreement while you are installing Windows XP

  2. When the setup partition window appears, use the arrow keys to select the unpartitioned space.

  3. Type C to create a new partition using unpartitioned space.

NOTE: To create sufficient space for the Dell MediaDirect partition on your hard drive, you need to calculate the partition size in megabytes (MB) by deducting 1308 from the total available space in MB on the hard drive.
  1. Type the size in MB that you want to use for the new partition and press <Enter>.

  2. Use the arrow keys to select the partition that you created and press <Enter>.

  3. Select Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick) and press <Enter>.

  4. Return to the Windows XP install guide to complete the installation of Windows XP. When you have finished all of the steps in the Windows XP install guide and the desktop appears, you can reinstall the Dell MediaDirect software.

Reinstalling the Dell MediaDirect Software

NOTE: See "Reinstallation CD" to verify that you need to reinstall Dell MediaDirect rather than repair it. If you use the Reinstallation CD when you should be repairing Dell MediaDirect, the process may not complete properly.
NOTE: You must follow the instructions in "Preparing the Hard Drive for the Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation" prior to reinstalling the Dell MediaDirect software or you will receive an error message when attempting to reinstall the software. If you receive an error message, you need to install Windows XP again or purchase a third-party utility that allows you to partition a single partitioned hard drive with an operating system installed on it.

To reinstall the Dell MediaDirect software:

  1. Insert the Reinstallation CD into the optical drive.

The Dell MediaDirect™ window opens.

  1. Press <Enter> to reinstall Dell MediaDirect.

A message appears indicating that the reinstallation process is complete.

  1. Remove the Reinstallation CD from the optical drive and press <Enter> to exit the reinstallation window.

  2. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.

  3. Use the Dell MediaDirect button on your computer to launch the Dell MediaDirect to complete the reinstallation process.

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 and TV/digital audio adapter cables are available for purchase from Dell.

Your computer has an S-video TV-out connector that, together with a standard S-video cable, a composite video adapter cable, or a component video adapter cable (available from Dell), enable you to connect the computer to a TV.

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S-video TV-out connector

2

S-video connector

1

S-video TV-out connector

2

composite video adapter

3

S/PDIF digital audio connector

4

composite video-output connector

5

S-video connector

 

 

1

S-video TV-out connector

2

component video adapter

3

S/PDIF digital audio connector

4

Pr (red) component video-output connector

5

Pb (blue) component video-output connector

6

Y (green) component video-output connector

Your TV has either an S-video input connector, a composite video-input connector, or a component video-input connector. Depending on what type of connector is available on your TV, you can use a commercially available S-video cable, composite video cable, or component video cable to connect your computer to your TV.

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.

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 to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV. Additionally, if you are using S/PDIF digital audio, see Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio.

S-Video and Standard Audio

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audio connector

2

S-video TV-out connector

1

standard S-video cable

2

standard audio cable

  1. Turn 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.
  1. Plug one end of the S-video cable into the S-video output connector on the computer.

  2. Plug the other end of the S-video cable into the S-video input connector on your TV.

  3. Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable into the headphone connector on your computer.

  4. Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable into the audio input connectors on your TV or other audio device.

  5. Turn on the TV and any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on the computer.

  6. See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio

1

S-video TV-out connector

2

composite video adapter

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composite video adapter

2

S-video cable

3

S/PDIF digital audio cable

  1. Turn off the computer and the TV and/or the audio device that you want to connect.

  2. Connect the composite video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on your computer.

  3. Plug one end of the S-video cable into the S-video output connector on the composite video adapter.

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composite video adapter

2

S-video cable

  1. Plug the other end of the S-video cable into the S-video input connector on the TV.

  2. Plug one end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable into the digital audio connector on the composite video adapter cable.

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composite video adapter

2

S/PDIF digital audio cable

  1. Plug the other end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable into the audio input connector on your TV or audio device.

  2. Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on the computer.

  3. See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Composite Video and Standard Audio

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audio input connector

2

S-video TV-out connector

3

composite video adapter

1

composite video adapter

2

composite video cable

3

standard audio cable

  1. Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to connect.

  2. Connect the composite video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on your computer.

  3. Plug one end of the composite video cable into the composite video-output connector on the composite video adapter.

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composite video adapter

2

composite video cable

  1. Plug the other end of the composite video cable into the composite video-input connector on the TV.

  2. Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable into the headphone connector on the computer.

  3. Plug 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.

  4. Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on the computer.

  5. See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio

1

S-video TV-out connector

2

composite video adapter

1

composite video adapter

2

composite video cable

3

standard audio cable

  1. Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to connect.

  2. Connect the composite video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on the computer.

  3. Plug one end of the composite video cable into the composite video-input connector on the composite video adapter.

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composite video adapter

2

composite video cable

  1. Plug the other end of the composite video cable into the composite video-input connector on the TV.

  2. Plug one end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable in to the S/PDIF audio connector on the composite video adapter.

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composite video adapter

2

S/PDIF digital audio cable

  1. Plug the other end of the digital audio cable into the S/PDIF input connector on your TV or other audio device.

  2. Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on the computer.

  3. See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Component Video and Standard Audio

1

S-video TV-out connector

2

component video adapter

1

component video adapter

2

component video cable

3

standard audio cable

  1. Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to connect.

  2. Connect the component video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on your computer.

  3. Plug all three ends of the component video cable into the component video-output connectors on the component video adapter. Make sure that the red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the corresponding adapter ports.

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component video adapter

2

component video cable

  1. Plug all three connectors from the other end of the component video cable into the component video- input connectors on the TV. Make sure that the red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the colors of the TV input connectors.

  2. Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable into the headphone connector on the computer.

  3. Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable into the audio input connectors on your TV or audio device.

  4. Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on the computer.

  5. See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio

1

S-video TV-out connector

2

component video adapter

1

component video adapter

2

component video cable

3

standard audio cable

  1. Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to connect.

  2. Connect the component video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on the computer.

  3. Plug all three ends of the component video cable into the component video-output connectors on the component video adapter. Make sure that the red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the corresponding adapter ports.

1

component video adapter

2

component video-output connectors

3

component video cable

  1. Plug all three connectors from the other end of the component video cable into the component video- input connectors on the TV. Make sure that the red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the colors of the TV input connectors.

  2. Plug one end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable into the S/PDIF audio connector on the component video adapter.

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component video adapter

2

S/PDIF digital audio cable

  1. Plug the other end of the digital audio cable into the S/PDIF input connector on your TV or other audio device.

  2. Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if applicable), and then turn on the computer.

  3. See Enabling the Display Settings for a TV to ensure that the computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio

NOTE: Your DVD software may vary. Please review the setup instructions included with your DVD software.

If your computer has a DVD drive, you can enable digital audio for DVD playback.

  1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and select the DVD application.

  2. Insert a DVD into the DVD drive.

If the DVD begins playing, click the stop button.

  1. Click the Settings option.

  2. Click the DVD option.

  3. Click the DVD Audio Setting icon.

  4. Click the arrows beside the Speaker Configuration setting to scroll through the options, and select the SPDIF option.

  5. Click the Back button once, and then click the Back button again to return to the main menu screen.

Enabling S/PDIF in the Windows Audio Driver

  1. Double-click the speaker icon in the Windows notification area.

  2. Click the Options menu and then click Advanced Controls.

  3. Click Advanced.

  4. Click S/PDIF Interface.

  5. Click Close.

  6. Click OK.

Configuring DVD Playback Using Headphones

If your computer has a DVD drive, you can enable digital audio for DVD playback.

NOTE: Your DVD software may vary. Please review the setup instructions included with your DVD software.
  1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and select the DVD program.

  2. Insert a DVD into the DVD drive.

If the DVD begins playing, click the stop button.

  1. Click the Settings option.

  2. Click the DVD option.

  3. Click the DVD Audio Setting icon.

  4. Click the arrows beside the Speaker Configuration setting to scroll through the options, and select the Headphones option.

  5. Click the arrows beside the Audio listening mode setting to scroll through the options, and select the CL Headphone option.

  6. Click the arrows beside the Dynamic range compression option to select the most suitable option.

  7. Click the Back button once, and then click the Back button again to return to the main menu screen.

Enabling the Display Settings for a TV

Video Controller

NOTE: To ensure that the display options appear correctly, connect the TV to the computer before you enable the display settings.
  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

  2. Double-click Display and click the Settings tab.

  3. Click Advanced.

  4. Click the tab for your video card.

NOTE: To determine the type of video card installed in your computer, see the Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center, click Start ® Help and Support. Under Pick a Task, click Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems. Then, under My Computer Information, select Hardware.
  1. In the display devices section, select the appropriate option for using either a single display or multiple displays, ensuring that the display settings are correct for your selection.

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