You can install devices such as a floppy drive, CD drive, CD-RW drive, DVD drive, CD-RW/DVD drive, DVD+RW, second battery, or second hard drive in the module bay.
NOTE: You do not need to install the device screw unless you want to secure the module inside the computer for security purposes.
Your Dell computer ships with an optical drive installed in the module bay. However, the device screw is not installed in the optical drive but packaged separately. When you install your device in the module bay, you can install the device screw.
Checking the Charge on the Second Battery
NOTE: Battery capacity (the time it can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer.
Before you install a second battery, press the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate the charge level lights. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights appear, the battery has no charge.
1
status button on the battery charge gauge
2
second battery (bottom)
Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is
Turned Off
CAUTION: Before performing any of the following procedures computer, read and follow the safety
instructions in your Product Information Guide.
Your computer ships with an optical drive installed in the module bay. However, the device screw is not installed in the optical drive but packaged separately. When you install your device in the module bay, you can install the device screw.
NOTE: You do not need to install the device screw unless you want to secure the module inside the computer for security purposes.
If the Device Screw Is Not Installed
NOTICE: To prevent damage to devices, place them in a safe, dry place when they are not installed in
the computer. Avoid pressing down on them or placing heavy objects on top of them.
Press the device latch release so that the latch release pops out.
1
device latch release
Pull the device by the latch release to remove the device from the module bay.
Insert the new device into the bay, push the device until you feel a click, and push the device
latch release in so that it is flush with the computer.
If the Device Screw Is Installed
Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and then shut down the computer.
If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation
that came with your docking device for instructions.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to devices, place them in a safe, dry place when they are not installed in
the computer. Avoid pressing down on them or placing heavy objects on top of them.
Close the display and turn the computer over.
Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to remove the device screw from the bottom of the computer.
1
device latch release
Press the device latch release so that the latch release pops out.
Pull the device by the latch release to remove the device from the module bay.
NOTICE: Insert devices into the module bay before you dock and turn on the computer.
Insert the new device into the bay, push the device until you feel a click, and push the device
latch release in so that it is flush with the computer.
Replace the device screw.
Turn on the computer.
Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is
Running
NOTE: If the device screw is not installed, you can remove and install devices while the computer is running and connected to a docking device (docked).
CAUTION: Before performing any of the following procedures computer, read and follow the safety
instructions in your Product Information Guide.
Your computer ships with an optical drive installed in the module bay. However, the device screw is not installed in the optical drive but packaged separately. When you install your device in the module bay, you can install the device screw.
NOTE: You do not need to install the device screw unless you want to secure the module inside the computer for security purposes.
If the Device Screw Is Not Installed
Microsoft® Windows® XP
Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar.
Click Stop and wait for the operating system to confirm that the device has stopped.
Click the device you want to eject.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to devices, place them in a safe, dry place when they are not installed in
the computer. Avoid pressing down on them or placing heavy objects on top of them.
Press the device latch release so that the latch release pops out.
1
device latch release
Pull the device by the latch release to remove the device from the module bay.
Insert the new device into the bay, push the device until you feel a click, and push the device
latch release in so that it is flush with the computer. Windows XP automatically recognizes
the new device.
If necessary, enter your password to unlock your computer.
Windows 2000
Click the Unplug or Eject Hardware icon on the taskbar.
Click the device you want to eject and click Stop.
Press the device latch release so that the latch release pops out.
1
device latch release
Pull the device by the latch release to remove the device from the module bay.
Insert the new device into the bay, push the device until you feel a click, and push the device
latch release in so that it is flush with the computer.
When the operating system recognizes the new device, click Close.
If the Device Screw Is Installed
Windows XP
Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar.
Click the device you want to eject.
If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation
that came with your docking device for instructions.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to devices, place them in a safe, dry place when they are not installed in
the computer. Avoid pressing down on them or placing heavy objects on top of them.
Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to remove the device screw from the bottom of the computer.
1
device latch release
Press the device latch release so that the latch release pops out.
Pull the device by the latch release to remove the device from the module bay.
Insert the new device into the bay, push the device until you feel a click, and push the device
latch release in so that it is flush with the computer. Windows XP automatically recognizes
the new device.
If necessary, enter your password to unlock your computer.
Windows 2000
Click the Unplug or Eject Hardware icon on the taskbar.
Click the device you want to eject and click Stop.
Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to remove the device screw from the bottom of the computer.
1
device latch release
Press the device latch release so that the latch release pops out.
Pull the device by the latch release to remove the device from the module bay.
Insert the new device into the bay, push the device until you feel a click, and push the device
latch release in so that it is flush with the computer.
When the operating system recognizes the new device, click Close.
Using CDs or DVDs
Using the CD or DVD Tray
NOTICE: Do not press down on the drive tray when opening or closing it. Keep the tray closed when you
are not using the drive.
NOTICE: Do not move the computer while playing CDs or DVDs.
Press the eject button on the front of the drive.
Pull the tray out.
Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray.
NOTICE: Ensure that you snap the disc onto the spindle. Otherwise you may damage the drive tray, or
your CD or DVD will not work properly.
Snap the disc onto the spindle.
1
eject button
Push the tray back into the drive.
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.
You can play a DVD on your computer if the computer shipped with a DVD drive or a CD-RW/DVD combo drive. You can write data to a blank CD on your computer if the computer shipped with a CD-RW or CD-RW/DVD combo drive.
For more information on playing CDs or DVDs, click Help on the CD player or DVD player (if available).
Adjusting the Volume
NOTE: If the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs®Accessories® Entertainment (or
Multimedia), and then click Volume Control.
In the Volume Control window, click and drag the bar in the Volume Control column and
slide the bar 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 right-click the icon in the taskbar or press the volume control buttons to enable or disable the Volume Meter on the screen.
1
volume icon
2
Volume Meter
3
mute icon
NOTE: By default, the Volume Meter appears in the lower-right corner of the display. You can click and drag the meter to a new location, and the meter subsequently always appears at the new location.
When the meter is enabled, adjust the volume using the volume control buttons or by pressing the following keys:
Press <Fn><Page Up> to increase volume.
Press <Fn><Page Down> to decrease volume.
Press <Fn><End>to mute volume.
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.
Windows XP
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
Under Pick a category, click Appearance and Themes.
Under Pick a task..., click Change the screen resolution.
In the Display Properties window, click and drag the bar in Screen resolution to change the
setting to 1024 by 768 pixels.
Under Color quality, click the drop-down menu and click Medium (16 bit).
Click OK.
Windows 2000
Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click the Display icon and click the Settings tab.
Click and drag the bar in Screen area to change the setting to 1024 by 768 pixels.
Under Color quality, click the drop-down menu and click High Color (16 bit).
Click Apply.
Click OK to save the settings and close the window.