display —
For more information about your display, see Using the Display.
power button —
Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power management mode. See Power Management Modes.
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).
device status lights
Turns on when you turn on the computer and blinks when the computer is in a power management 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.
Turns on when wireless devices are enabled.
Turns on when Bluetooth®wireless technology is enabled. To enable or disable Bluetooth wireless technology, move the wireless switch to the "on" position. See wireless switch for more information.
NOTE: Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature on your computer, so the icon turns on only if you ordered Bluetooth wireless technology with your computer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your Bluetooth wireless technology.
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.
Off: The battery is adequately charged (or external power is not available to charge the battery).
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 Using the Keyboard.
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. For information on how to activate and use the security management software that controls the fingerprint reader, see Security Management Software.
speaker —
To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker, press the volume control buttons, mute button, or volume-control keyboard shortcuts. For more information, see Key Combinations.
touch pad buttons/track stick —
Provide the functionality of a mouse. See Touch Pad for more information.
ambient light sensor (ALS) —
Helps to control display brightness. See for more information, see Using the Ambient Light Sensor.
keyboard status lights
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.
Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.
volume control buttons —
Press these buttons to adjust the volume.
mute button —
Press this button to turn off the volume.
air vents —
The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.
CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your Dell 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.
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.
security cable slot —
Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. For more information, see Security Cable Lock.
audio connectors
Attach headphones to the
connector.
Attach a microphone to the
connector.
infrared sensor —
Lets you transfer files from your computer to another infrared-compatible device without using cable connections.
When you receive your computer, the sensor is disabled. You can use the system setup program (see System Setup Program) to enable the sensor. For information on transferring data, see Windows Help, the Help and Support Center, or the documentation that came with your infrared-compatible device.
wireless switch —
Turns on/off wireless devices such as Wi-Fi and internal cards with Bluetooth technology and scans for wireless networks. For more information about scanning for wireless networks, see Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator.
Wi-Fi Catcher™ light —
The light operates as follows:
Flashing green: Searching for networks
Solid green: Strong network found
Solid yellow: Weak network found
Flashing yellow: Error
Off: No signal found
PC Card slot —
Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter, or an ExpressCard (with a PCMIA adapter). The computer ships with a blank installed in the slot. For more information, see Card Types.
media bay —
Supports a floppy or an optical drive, second battery, second hard drive, or a Dell TravelLite™ module. See Using Multimedia.
device latch release —
Use the latch release to eject a device.
USB connectors
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
Back 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.
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 status and activity for wired network connections.
For information on using the network adapter, see the device user's guide supplied with your computer.
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.
USB connectors
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.
serial connector
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device.
video connector
Connects video devices, such as a monitor.
AC adapter connector —
Connects an AC adapter to the computer.
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. When you wrap the AC adapter cable, ensure that you follow the angle of the connector on the AC adapter 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.
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.
battery —
When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet. See Using a Battery.
battery-bay latch releases —
Release the battery. See Replacing the Battery for instructions.
docking-device connector —
Lets you attach your computer to the Media Base or other docking device. See the Dell documentation that came with your docking device for more information.
air vents —
The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the fan air 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 operates as follows:
light operates as follows:
connector. 
connector.
