Front ViewDell™ Inspiron™ 8100
This latch keeps the display locked in place when the display is closed.
The computer has a color LCD.
The lights below the display indicate the following:
turns on when the computer is turned on and
blinks when the computer is in standby mode.
turns on when the computer reads data from or
writes data to the hard drive.
turns on steadily or blinks to indicate the
battery charge status. Indicator states include:
 |
NOTICE: To avoid data loss, never turn off the computer while the green light
labeled 
is flashing.
|
 |
HINT: The computer turns on the fans only when the computer gets hot. They may run most of the time or very seldom, depending on your use of the computer. Because the fans spin at a high rate of speed, they may make a noise. This noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fans or the computer. |
The fans work with the air intakes to prevent the computer from overheating. When the computer gets hot, the small internal fans turn on and draw air through the air intakes to cool the computer. Hot air is expelled through the fan exhausts.
|
CAUTION: Do not push objects into or block the air intakes. Doing so can cause fire or damage the interior components. Keep the openings free from dust and other foreign particles. |
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
turns on when you press
to enable the
numeric keypad.
turns on when you press
to enable
the uppercase letter function.
turns on when you press
to
enable the scroll lock function.
The track stick detects the pressure and movement of your finger for moving the cursor on the display and, along with the track stick buttons, provides full mouse functionality.
The touch pad detects the position of your finger over a touch-sensitive area and provides the computer with full mouse functionality.
With a charged battery in this bay, you can use the computer without plugging it in to an electrical outlet.
You can install devices such as a CD drive, DVD drive, CD-RW and CD-R drive, second battery, or Dell TravelLite™ travel module in the media bay.
These buttons correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard mouse.
The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key that supports the Windows operating systems.
|
HINT: To turn off your computer, perform a Windows shutdown. |
Press the power button to turn on the computer or to initiate standby mode.
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (this may take several seconds).
The internal microphone allows you to record voice audio.
Increase or decrease the speaker volume with the volume control buttons. You can also change the speaker volume using key combinations:
|
HINT: If no sound comes from the speakers, press <Fn> and <End> and check the volume control buttons to make sure that the sound is not disabled. |
When you mute music, the computer may take a moment to respond.
|
HINT: To launch the Dell Solution Center, the computer must be turned on and functioning properly. |
1 | Press this button to launch the Dell Solution Center, where you can find support and educational tools that Dell has installed on your computer. |
2 | Press this button to launch your default Internet browser. |
3 | Press this button to launch http://www.dell.com, or reprogram the button to launch a program of your choice. |
4 | Press this button to open your default e-mail program, or reprogram the button to launch a program of your choice. |
You can also reprogram the button scheme to control CD or DVD player functions.
The slots (one on each side of the computer) let you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Complete instructions for installing antitheft devices are usually included with the device.
|
NOTICE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before you buy one, make sure it will work with the security cable slot in the computer. |
Your computer has integrated speakers. Press the volume control buttons to adjust the speaker volume.
| Use this connector to connect your computer to a television. If you have a TV/digital audio adapter cable, you can also connect composite video cables and S/PDIF devices to this connector. |
Your computer supports a CD drive, DVD drive, or CD-RW drive.
connector.
connector.
connector.
| Use this connector to attach IEEE 1394-compatible devices such as a digital camera to your computer. |
The infrared sensor lets you transfer files from the computer to another infrared device without using cable connections.
|
HINT: The infrared sensor does not function when the computer is connected to a port replicator. |
The hard drive reads and writes data on a hard disk.
| If you ordered the optional internal modem, use this connector to plug in the telephone connector. |
| If you ordered the optional integrated network adapter, use this connector to connect the computer to a network. |
The slots (one on each side of the computer) let you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Complete instructions for installing antitheft devices are usually included with the device.
|
NOTICE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before you buy one, make sure it works with the security cable slot in the computer. |
The PC Card slot has two connectors that support various types of PC Cards, including modems and network adapters.
|
HINT: The computer turns on the fan only when the computer gets hot. It may run most of the time or very seldom, depending on your use of the computer. Because the fan spins at a high rate of speed, it may make a noise. This noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer. |
The fan works with the air intake to prevent the computer from overheating. When the computer gets hot, the small internal fan turns on and draws air through the air intake to cool the computer. Hot air is expelled through the fan exhaust.
|
|
CAUTION: Do not push objects into or block the air intake. Doing so can cause fire or damage interior components. Keep the opening free from dust and other foreign particles. |
Use this connector to attach an AC adapter to the computer.
|
HINT: Although the AC adapter works worldwide, power connectors vary among countries. Before using the AC adapter in a foreign country, you may need to obtain a new power cable designed for use with the electrical outlets in that country. |
The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer either turned on or off.
|
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter from the computer, grasp the adapter cable connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable. |
| Use this connector to attach a parallel device, such as a printer, to the computer. |
| Use these connectors to attach USB-compatible devices such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, or scanner to your computer. |
| Use this connector to attach a serial device to the computer. |
|
HINT: The port replicator may not be available in certain countries. Refer to the documentation that came with your port replicator for instructions on attaching external devices to the port replicator and connecting your computer to it. |
| Use this connector to attach your computer to the optional port replicator. A port replicator allows you to easily use an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor with your computer. An advanced port replicator also includes a network connector for connecting your computer to a network. |
| Use this connector to attach an external monitor to the computer. |
| Use this connector to attach PS/2-compatible devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or external numeric keypad to your computer. |
