display —
For more information about your display, see Using the Display.
device status lights
Turns on when you turn on the computer and blinks when the computer is in Standby mode.
Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.
NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the
light is flashing.
Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the
light operates as follows:
Solid green: The battery is charging.
Flashing green: The battery is almost fully charged.
If the computer is running on a battery, the
light operates as follows:
Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off).
Flashing orange: The battery charge is low.
Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.
keyboard —
The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Windows logo key. For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see Key Combinations.
fingerprint reader (optional) —
Helps to keep your Dell™ computer secure. When you slide your finger over the reader, it uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity.
touch pad —
Provides the functionality of a mouse. See Touch Pad for more information.
display latch —
Keeps the display closed.
speakers —
To adjust the volume of the integrated speakers, press the volume-control keyboard shortcuts. For more information, see Key Combinations.
touch pad buttons —
Provide the functionality of a mouse. See Touch Pad for more information.
keyboard and network status lights
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
Turns on when wireless devices are enabled.
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
Turns on when Bluetooth® wireless technology is enabled. To enable or disable Bluetoothwireless technology or other wireless devices, turn the wireless WiFi Locator - Wireless On/Off switch on or off.
NOTE: Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature on your computer, so the icon turns on only if Bluetooth wireless technology is installed on your computer.
For more information, see the documentation that came with your Bluetooth wireless technology.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft® Windows® operating system
shutdown rather than by pressing the power button.
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (which may take several seconds).
Left View
1
security cable slot
3
headphone connector
5
SmartCard slot
2
microphone connector
4
PC Card slot
6
Secure Digital (SD) card slot
NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a
problem with the fans or the computer.
security cable slot —
Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. For more information, see Security Cable Lock.
headphone connector —
Lets you connect headphones or speakers to the
connector.
microphone connector —
Lets you connect a microphone to the
connector.
PC Card slot —
Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter, or a 34-mm ExpressCard in an adapter. The computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the slot. For more information, see Installing a PC Card or 34-mm ExpressCard.
smart card slot —
Supports one smart card.
Secure Digital memory card slot —
The Secure Digital memory card slot supports one Secure Digital memory card. Use Secure Digital memory cards to save or back up data.
audio connectors
Attach a microphone to the
connector.
Attach headphones or speakers to the
connector.
Right View
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your
computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow
can damage the computer or cause a fire.
1
air vent
2
WiFi Locator - Wireless On/Off switch
3
power button
power button —
Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power management mode (see Power Management Modes).
Back View
1
network connector (RJ-45)
4
video connector
7
IEEE 1394 connector
2
modem connector (RJ-11)
5
powered USB connector
8
AC adapter connector
3
USB connectors (2)
6
infrared sensor
USB connectors
Connect a USB device, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. You can also connect the optional floppy drive directly to a USB connector using the optional floppy drive cable.
modem connector (RJ-11)
If you ordered the optional internal modem, connect the telephone line to the modem connector.
For information on using the modem, see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer. See Finding Information for information about accessing online user's guides.
network connector (RJ-45)
NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. To avoid damaging the computer, do
not plug a telephone line into the network connector.
Connects the computer to a network. The two lights next to the connector indicate the status of both the connection and the transfer of information for wired network communications.
For information on using the network adapter, see the device user's guide supplied with your computer. See Finding Information.
video connector
Connects an external monitor. For more information, see Using the Display.
AC adapter connector —
Attach an AC adapter to the computer.
IEEE 1394 Connector —
Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.
NOTE: The D420 has been optimally designed to be used with the slim Media Base for docking. However, it is
compatible with the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock. With the use of the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock, all ports can be
effectively utilized except for the 1394 port. If the use of this port is required, it is recommended that you utilize the
Media Base as your primary docking device.
infrared sensor —
Lets you transfer files from your computer to another infrared-compatible device without using cable connections.
When you receive your computer, the infrared sensor is disabled. You can use the system setup program (see System Setup Program) to enable the infrared sensor. For information on transferring data, see Windows Help, the Help and Support Center, or the documentation that came with your infrared-compatible device. For information on accessing the Help and Support Center, see Windows Help and Support Center.
The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off.
CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power
strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip
or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.
NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the connector, not the cable itself,
and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable.
air vents —
The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.
NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a
problem with the fan or the computer.
Bottom View
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your
computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow
can damage the computer or cause a fire.
1
battery
3
battery-bay latch release (2)
5
air vent
2
battery charge gauge
4
memory module/WLAN Mini-Card cover
6
docking device slot
memory module/WLAN Mini-Card cover —
Covers the compartment that contains one memory module and the WLAN Mini-Card. For additional information, see Adding and Replacing Parts.
battery-bay latch release —
Releases the battery. See Using a Battery for instructions.
battery charge gauge —
Provides information on the battery charge. For more information, see Using a Battery.
battery —
When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet. For more information, see Using a Battery.
docking device slot —
Lets you attach your computer to a docking device. See the documentation that came with your docking device for additional information.
NOTICE: Your computer features Dell Undock & Go™ technology that allows you to undock your computer without
going into standby mode. Because the computer may not automatically go into standby mode when it is undocked,
be sure the settings in the Power Options control panel do not prohibit the computer from going into standby mode.
If you change the Power Options control panel to prohibit the computer from going into standby mode, you greatly
increase the chances of causing your battery to wear down quickly or causing your computer to overheat.
air vent —
The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.
NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a
problem with the fan or the computer.
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your
computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow
can damage the computer or cause a fire.
light is flashing.
light operates as follows:
light operates as follows:
connector.
connector.
connector.
connector. 
