To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options:
DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line or cellular telephone service. With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same line simultaneously.
Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local cable TV line.
Satellite modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through a satellite television system.
Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL, cable, and satellite modem connections.
Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) or Mobile Broadband technology provides a connection to the Internet using cellular technology at broadband rates.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connections use high-frequency radio waves to communicate. Typically, a wireless router is connected to the broadband cable or DSL modem that broadcasts the Internet signal to your computer.
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your computer and to the telephone wall connector before you set up your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL, cable, or satellite modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut:
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
Double-click the ISPicon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP, perform the steps in the following section that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using.
NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.
Windows XP®
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
Click Start®Internet Explorer.
The New Connection Wizard appears.
Click Connect to the Internet.
In the next window, click the appropriate option:
If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click Choose from a list of Internet service providers (ISPs).
If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a setup CD, click Set up my connection manually.
If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP.
Click Next.
If you selected Set up my connection manually, continue to step 6. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP.
Click the appropriate option under How do you want to connect to the
Internet?, and then click Next.
Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
Windows Vista®
NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet wizard can help you get one.
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click Control Panel
Under Network and Internet, click Connect to the Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
Click either Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up, depending on how you want
to connect:
Choose Broadband if you will use a DSL, satellite modem, cable TV modem, or Bluetooth wireless technology connection.
Chose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up modem or ISDN.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me choose or contact your ISP. Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
Transferring Information to a New Computer
You can use your operating system "wizards" to help you transfer files and other data from one computer to another—for example, from an old computer to a new computer. For instructions, see the following section that corresponds to the operating system that your computer is running.
Microsoft Windows XP
The MicrosoftWindows XP 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 removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.
NOTE: You can transfer information from an old computer to a 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 certain countries.
For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System media 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 Media
NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System media. This media is optional and may not be included with certain computers.
To prepare a new computer for the file transfer:
Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click Start®All Programs®Accessories® System Tools®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 will use the wizard
from the Windows XP CD®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 media.
On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform
additional tasks.
Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings® 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.
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
Media
To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System media, 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:
Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click Start®All Programs®Accessories® System Tools®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 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 #154781 (What Are The Different Methods To 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 certain countries.
Microsoft Windows Vista™
Click the Windows Vista Start button , and then 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.
Setting Up a Printer
NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer.
See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to:
Obtain and install updated drivers.
Connect the printer to the computer.
Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge.
For technical assistance, refer to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer.
Printer Cable
Your printer connects to your computer with a USB cable. Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer and computer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer's shipping box.
Connecting a USB Printer
NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.
Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so.
Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and
the printer. The USB connectors fit only one way.
1
USB connector on computer
2
USB connector on printer
3
USB printer cable
Turn on the printer, and then turn on the computer.
If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel.
Depending on your computer's operating system, a printer wizard may be
available to help you install the printer driver:
If your computer is running the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system and the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel.
If your computer is running the Windows Vista™ operating system, click the Windows Vista Start button , and click Network® Add a printer to start the Add Printer Wizard.Click Add a printer to start the Add Printer Wizard.
Click Add a local printer or Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer.
Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard.
Power Protection Devices
Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures:
Surge protectors
Line conditioners
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help prevent damage to your computer from voltage spikes that can occur during electrical storms or after power interruptions. Some surge protector manufacturers include warranty coverage for certain types of damage. Carefully read the device warranty when choosing a surge protector. A device with a higher joule rating offers more protection. Compare joule ratings to determine the relative effectiveness of different devices.
NOTICE: Most surge protectors do not protect against power fluctuations or power interruptions caused by nearby lightning strikes. When lightning occurs in your area, disconnect the telephone line from the telephone wall connector and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.
Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. See the surge protector documentation for modem connection instructions.
NOTICE: Not all surge protectors offer network adapter protection. Disconnect the network cable from the network wall connector during electrical storms.
Line Conditioners
NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions.
Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in data loss or file damage.
NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to a UPS. Connect other devices, such as a printer, to a separate power strip that provides surge protection.
A UPS protects against power fluctuations and interruptions. UPS devices contain a battery that provides temporary power to connected devices when AC power is interrupted. The battery charges while AC power is available. See the UPS manufacturer documentation for information on battery operating time and to ensure that the device is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
