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A Tour of Your Computer

Dell™ Inspiron™ 8100

  Front View

  Left Side View

  Right Side View

  Back View



Front View

Display Latch

This latch keeps the display locked in place when the display is closed.

Display

The computer has a color LCD.

Device Status Lights

The lights below the display indicate the following:

NOTICE: To avoid data loss, never turn off the computer while the green light labeled is flashing.

Air Intake

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.

Keyboard Status Lights

The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:

Track Stick

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.

Touch Pad

The touch pad detects the position of your finger over a touch-sensitive area and provides the computer with full mouse functionality.

Battery Bay

With a charged battery in this bay, you can use the computer without plugging it in to an electrical outlet.

Media Bay

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.

Touch Pad/Track Stick Buttons

These buttons correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard mouse.

Keyboard

The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key that supports the Windows operating systems.

Power Button

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).

Microphone

The internal microphone allows you to record voice audio.

Volume Control Buttons

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.

Dell™ AccessDirect™ Buttons

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.


Left Side View

Security Cable Slot

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.

Speakers

Your computer has integrated speakers. Press the volume control buttons to adjust the speaker volume.

S-Video TV-Out Connector

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.

Fixed Optical Drive

Your computer supports a CD drive, DVD drive, or CD-RW drive.


Right Side View

Audio Connectors

IEEE 1394 Connector

Use this connector to attach IEEE 1394-compatible devices such as a digital camera to your computer.

Infrared Sensor

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.

Hard Drive

The hard drive reads and writes data on a hard disk.

Modem Connector

If you ordered the optional internal modem, use this connector to plug in the telephone connector.

Network Connector

If you ordered the optional integrated network adapter, use this connector to connect the computer to a network.

Security Cable Slot

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.

PC Card Slot

The PC Card slot has two connectors that support various types of PC Cards, including modems and network adapters.


Back View

Fan Exhausts

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.

AC Adapter Connector

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.

Parallel Connector

Use this connector to attach a parallel device, such as a printer, to the computer.

USB Connectors

Use these connectors to attach USB-compatible devices such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, or scanner to your computer.

Serial Connector

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.

Docking Connector

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.

Video Connector

Use this connector to attach an external monitor to the computer.

PS/2 Connector

Use this connector to attach PS/2-compatible devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or external numeric keypad to your computer.


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