NOTE: Your operating system may automatically configure most of the options available in the system setup program, thus overriding options that you set through the system setup program. (An exception is the External Hot Key option, which you can disable or enable only through the system setup program.) For more information on configuring features for your operating system, see the Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center, see page 11.
The system setup screens display the current setup information and settings for your computer, such as:
System configuration
Basic device-configuration settings
Boot (start-up) configuration
NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user or are directed to do so by Dell technical support, do not change the system setup program settings. Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly.
Entering System Setup
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the blue DELL™ logo is displayed, you must watch for the F2 prompt to appear.
Once this F2 prompt appears, press <F2> immediately.
NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it to display, and then press <F2>. If you press <F2> before you are prompted, this keystroke will be lost.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Microsoft® Windows® desktop, then, shut down your computer (see "Turning Off Your
Computer" on page 55) and try again.
System Setup Screen
The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into four areas: the menu at the top, the main window, the Item Help field on the right, and key functions listed on the bottom.
Menu bar — The menu bar lists the major categories of settings available in system setup. Use the right and left arrow keys to move from one menu to another.
Options List — This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer.
Scroll up and down the list by using the up and down arrow keys. As an option is highlighted, the Item Specific Help window displays more information about that option and the option's current and available settings. If the option is configurable, you can press <Enter> to view or change options for that setting.
Item Specific Help — This field contains information about each option and the keys to use to change settings.
Key Functions — This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field.
Commonly Used Options
Certain options require that you reboot the computer for new settings to take effect.
Changing the Boot Sequence
The boot sequence, or boot order, tells the computer where to look to find the software needed to start the operating system. You can control the boot sequence and enable/disable devices using the Boot Order page of the system setup program.
The Boot Order page displays a general list of the bootable devices that may be installed in your computer, including but not limited to the following:
Diskette Drive
Internal HDD
USB Storage Device
CD/DVD/CD-RW drive
Modular bay HDD
NOTE: Only devices that are preceded by a number are bootable.
During the boot routine, the computer starts at the top of the list and scans each enabled device for the operating system start-up files. When the computer finds the files, it stops searching and starts the operating system.
To control the boot devices, select (highlight) a device by pressing the down-arrow or up-arrow key, and then enable or disable the device or change its order in the list.
To enable or disable a device, highlight the item and press the space bar. Enabled items are preceded by a number; disabled items are not preceded by a number.
To reorder a device in the list, highlight the device and press either <u> to move the device up the list or <d> to move a device down the list.
Boot sequence changes take effect as soon as you save the changes and exit the system setup program.
Performing a One-Time Boot
You can set a one-time-only boot sequence without entering the system setup program. (You can also use this procedure to boot the Dell Diagnostics on the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive.)
Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
Turn on the computer. When the DELL logo appears, press <F2> immediately. If you wait too long
and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down
your computer and try again.
When the boot device list appears, highlight the device from which you want to boot and press
<Enter>.
The computer boots to the selected device.
The next time you reboot the computer, the previous boot order is restored.
Cleaning Your Computer
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and remove any installed batteries. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
Use a can of compressed air to remove dust from between the keys on the keyboard and to remove any dirt or lint from the display.
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the computer or display, do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the display. Only use products specifically designed for cleaning displays, and follow the instructions that are included with the product.
Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with either water or a display cleaner. Do not use alcohol or an ammonia-based cleaner. Wipe the display gently working from the center to the edges until it is clean and any fingerprints are removed. Do not use excessive pressure.
Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water and wipe the computer and keyboard. Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest.
Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water, and wipe it gently across the surface of the touch pad. Do not
allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest.
Floppy Drive
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You might accidentally misalign the heads which prevents the drive from operating.
Clean your floppy drive using a commercially available cleaning kit. These kits contain pretreated floppies to remove contaminants that accumulate during normal operation.
CDs and DVDs
NOTICE: Always use compressed air to clean the lens in the CD/DVD drive, and follow the instructions that come with the compressed-air product. Never touch the lens in the drive.
If you notice problems, such as skipping, with the playback quality of your CDs or DVDs, try cleaning the discs.
Hold the disc by its outer edge. You can also touch the inside edge of the center hole.
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the surface, do not wipe in a circular motion around the disc.
With a soft, lint-free cloth, gently wipe the bottom of the disc (the unlabeled side) in a straight line
from the center to the outer edge of the disc.
For stubborn dirt, try using water or a diluted solution of water and mild soap. You can also purchase commercial products that clean discs and provide some protection from dust, fingerprints, and scratches. Cleaning products for CDs are also safe to use on DVDs.
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)
Technician-assisted technical support requires the cooperation and participation of the customer in the troubleshooting process and provides for restoration of the operating system, software programs, and hardware drivers to the original default configuration as shipped from Dell, as well as the verification of appropriate functionality of the computer and all Dell-installed hardware. In addition to this technician-assisted technical support, online technical support is available at support.dell.com. Additional technical support options may be available for purchase.
Dell provides limited technical support for the computer and any "Dell-installed" software and peripherals1. Support for third-party software and peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer, including those purchased and/or installed through Dell Software and Peripherals, Readyware, and Custom Factory Integration2.
1Repair services are provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of your limited warranty and any optional support service contract purchased with the computer.
2All Dell-standard components included in a Custom Factory Integration (CFI) project are covered by the standard Dell limited warranty for your computer. However, Dell also extends a parts replacement program to cover all nonstandard, third-party hardware components integrated through CFI for the duration of the computer's service contract.
Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals
Dell-installed software includes the operating system and some of the software programs that are installed on the computer during the manufacturing process (Microsoft® Office, Norton Antivirus, and so on).
Dell-installed peripherals include any internal expansion cards, or Dell-branded module bay or ExpressCard accessories. In addition, any Dell-branded monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, microphones for telephonic modems, docking stations/port replicators, networking products, and all associated cabling are included.
Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals
Third-party software and peripherals include any peripheral, accessory, or software program sold by Dell not under the Dell brand (printers, scanners, cameras, games, and so on). Support for all third-party software and peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer of the product.
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)
FCC Class B
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction manual, may cause interference with radio and television reception. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
NOTICE: The FCC regulations provide that changes or modifications not expressly approved by Dell Inc. could void your authority to operate this equipment.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference with radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, you are encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient the receiving antenna.
Relocate the system with respect to the receiver.
Move the system away from the receiver.
Plug the system into a different outlet so that the system and the receiver are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, consult a representative of Dell Inc. or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions.
The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with the FCC regulations:
Product name:
Dell™ Latitude™ 131L
Model number:
PP23LB
Company name:
Dell Inc. Worldwide Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Affairs One Dell Way Round Rock, TX 78682 USA 512-338-4400
