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. To enable or disable WiFi, use the wireless switch on the left side of the computer.
Turns on when Bluetooth®wireless technology is enabled. To enable or disable Bluetoothwireless technology, use the wireless switch on the left side of the computer.
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.
speaker —
To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker, press the volume control buttons or mute button.
keyboard —
The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Windows logo key. For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see Numeric Keypad.
touch pad —
Provides the functionality of a mouse. See Touch Pad for more information.
touch pad/track stick buttons —
Provide the functionality of a mouse. See Touch Pad for more information.
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 Securing Your Computer.
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 speaker volume.
mute button —
Press this button to turn off the speakers.
security cable slot —
Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. For more information, see Security Cable Lock.
NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.
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.
IEEE 1394 connector —
Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.
audio connectors
Attach headphones to the
connector.
Attach a microphone to the
connector.
ExpressCard slot —
Supports 34- and 54-mm PCI ExpressCards or USB-based ExpressCards (see Using Cards).
wireless switch —
Turns on/off wireless devices such as WiFi and internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology and scans for WiFi networks. For more information about scanning for wireless networks, see Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator.
NOTE: The wireless switch does not detect Mobile Broadband networks or networks that use internal cards with Bluetooth technology.
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 dust particles from entering the computer. For more information, see Using Cards.
smart card slot —
Supports one smart card (see Smart Cards).
media bay —
Supports a floppy drive, optical drives, a second battery, or a second hard drive (see Media Bay).
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.
Connects your computer to a TV. Also connects digital audio-capable devices using the TV/digital audio adapter cable.
powered USB 2.0 connector
Connects USB 2.0 compliant devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. Can also be used for peripherals that require more than 5 V of power.
modem connector (RJ-11)
Connects the telephone line to the modem connector (if you ordered the optional internal modem).
For information on using the modem, see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer (see Finding Information).
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-bay latch release —
Releases the battery. See Replacing the Battery for instructions.
battery —
When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet (see Using a Battery).
memory module cover —
Covers the compartment that contains the second memory module (see Memory).
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.
fan 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.
hard drive —
Stores software and data.
Transferring Information to a New Computer
The Microsoft® Windows® operating system provides the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer. You can transfer data, such as:
E-mail messages
Toolbar settings
Window sizes
Internet bookmarks
You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on a removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.
NOTE: You can transfer information from the old computer to the new computer by directly connecting a serial cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you must access the Network Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration steps, such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host computer and the guest computer.
For instructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article #305621, titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP. This information may not be available in some countries.
For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System CD for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System CD
NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System CD. This CD is optional and may not be included with all computers.
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:
Start the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD
and click Next.
When the Now go to your old computer screen appears, go to your old or source computer. Do not
click Next at this time.
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System CD.
On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.
Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings.
On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.
After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
settings and files and click Next.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.
Click Finished and restart the new computer.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System CD
To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System CD, you must create a wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup image file to removable media.
To create a wizard disk, use your new computer with Windows XP and perform the following steps:
Click Start® Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer®Next.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following
drive® Next.
Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click OK.
When the disk creation completes and the Now go to your old computer message appears,
do not click Next.
Go to the old computer.
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.
Click the Start®Run.
In the Open field on the Run window, browse to the path for fastwiz (on the appropriate removable
media) and click OK.
On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer®Next.
On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.
After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
settings and files and click Next. Follow the instructions on the screen.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.
Click Finished and restart the new computer.
NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for document #PA1089586 (How Do I Transfer Files From My Old Computer to My New Dell Computer Using the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System?).
NOTE: Access to the Dell™ Knowledge Base document may not be available in some countries.
Windows Vista®
Click the Windows Vista Start button, , click Transfer files and settings®Start Windows Easy
Transfer.
In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
Click Start a new transfer or Continue a transfer in progress.
Follow the instructions provided on the screen by the Windows Easy Transfer wizard.
light is flashing.
light operates as follows:
light operates as follows:
connector. 
connector.
