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.
display —
For more information about your display, see Using the Display.
display latch —
Keeps the display closed.
display latch button —
Press this button to release the display latch and open the display.
keyboard —
The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key. For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see Using the Keyboard.
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.
power button —
Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power management mode.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, shut down your computer instead of pressing the power button.
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.
ambient light sensor —
Detects available environmental light and automatically increases or decreases the display backlighting to compensate for low-light and high-light environments. Press the <Fn> and left-arrow keys to enable or disable the sensor (Using the Ambient Light Sensor).
NOTE: The ambient light sensor is disabled when your computer is connected to AC power.
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 (see Security Cable Lock).
audio connectors
Attach headphones or speakers to the
connector.
Attach a microphone to the
connector.
smart card slot (with blank) —
Supports one smart card. Smart cards provide a variety of functions, including security features and data storage. The blank prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the computer when a smart card is not installed in the smart card slot. For more information and instructions on removing the blank, see Smart Cards.
wireless switch —
When enabled through Dell QuickSet, this switch can scan for a wireless LAN (WLAN) in your vicinity. You can also use it to rapidly turn off or on any wireless devices such as WLAN cards and internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology (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
NOTE: The Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator light appears only when the computer is turned off and wireless networking is activated in the system setup program. While working in Microsoft Windows operating systems, the light is designed not to appear.
PC Card slot —
Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or network adapter. The computer ships with a blank installed in the slot to prevent foreign matter from entering the computer interior when a card is not installed (see Card Types).
NOTE: Your computer does not have an ExpressCard slot. To use an ExpressCard, use an adapter for the PC Card slot.
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.
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 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)
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
Connects 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.
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 charge gauge/health gauge —
Provides information on the battery charge (see Checking the Battery Charge).
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 —
Releases the battery (see Replacing the Battery for instructions).
device locking screw —
If present, locks devices, such as an optical drive, in place.
docking-device connector —
Lets you attach your computer to a docking device. See the Dell documentation that came with your docking device for more information.
memory module cover —
Covers the compartment that contains the second memory module connector (DIMM B) (see Memory).
air vents —
The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the fan air vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.
light operates as follows:
light operates as follows:
connector.
connector.
