Dell Support Website support.dell.com NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support site. NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers can also use the customized Dell Premier Support website at premier.support.dell.com. The website may not be available in all regions.
What Are You Looking For? How to use Windows XP Documentation for my computer Documentation for devices (such as a modem)
Find It Here Windows Help and Support Center 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen.

Front View

display latch release display
hard drive and keyboard status lights keyboard touch pad touch pad buttons device status lights power button

speakers

DISPLAY LATCH RELEASE
Press this button to release the display latch and open the display.
D I S P L A Y For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" in the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see page 9. POWER BUTTON
Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit a power management
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, shut down your computer instead of pressing the power button.

SPEAKERS

To adjust the volume of the integrated speakers, press the volume-control key combinations. For more information, see page 32.

DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS

Turns on when you turn on the computer or flashes when the computer is in a power management mode. Turns on steadily when the battery is being charged or flashes when the battery charge is low. If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows: Solid green: The battery is charging. Off: The battery is adequately charged, the computer is turned off, or no battery is installed. Rapidly flashing green: An error has occurred regarding the battery. If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows: Off: The battery is discharging normally with use. Flashing green: The battery charge is low.
TOUCH PAD AND TOUCH PAD BUTTONS KEYBOARD
Touch pad and touch pad buttons provide the functionality of a mouse. See page 33 for more information. The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft Windows logo

Bottom View

memory module cover hard drive
battery-bay latch release
MEMORY MODULE COVER HARD DRIVE
Covers the compartment that contains the memory module(s).
Stores software and data.
B A T T E R Y / B A T T E R Y B A Y When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet. See page 25. BATTERY LATCH RELEASE FAN

Releases the battery.

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 fans 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.
NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP), such as AOL or MSN. Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options: Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable modem connections. DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line. 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.
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL or cable modem connection, contact your ISP for setup instructions.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
To set up an AOL or MSN connection: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Double-click the MSN Explorer or AOL icon on the Microsoft Windows desktop. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. If you do not have an MSN Explorer or AOL icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Click the Start button and click Internet Explorer. The New Connection Wizard appears. 3 Click Connect to the Internet.
4 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.

5 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. 6 Click the appropriate option under How do you want to connect to the Internet?, and then click Next. 7 Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup. If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on page 46. 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.

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. Contact the printer manufacturer for technical assistance.

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. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer box.

Connecting a USB Printer

NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on. 1 Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so. 2 Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer.
3 Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer. The USB connectors fit only one way.
USB connector on computer

USB printer cable

USB connector on printer

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 to prevent damage to your computer from voltage spikes that can occur during electrical storms or following power interruptions. The level of protection is usually commensurate with the cost of the surge protector. 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 jack and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.

C H E C K T H E M I C R O S O F T O U T L O O K E X P R E S S S E C U R I T Y S E T T I N G S If you cannot open your e-mail attachments: 1 In Outlook Express, click Tools, click Options, and then click Security. 2 Click Do not allow attachments to remove the checkmark. CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem. (The jack has either a green label or a connector-shaped icon next to it.) Ensure that you detect a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem. Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone. If you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine, fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and use the telephone to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack. If you are using a line that is 3 m (10 ft) or more in length, try a shorter one. R U N T H E M O D E M H E L P E R D I A G N O S T I C S Click the Start button, point to All Programs, and then click Modem Helper. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems. (Modem Helper is not available on certain computers.) VE R I F Y T H A T T H E M O D E M I S C O M M U N I C A T I N G W I T H W I N D O W S 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware. 3 Click Phone and Modem Options. 4 Click the Modems tab. 5 Click the COM port for your modem. 6 Click Properties, click the Diagnostics tab, and then click Query Modem to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows. If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly. E N S U R E T H A T Y O U A R E C O N N E C T E D T O T H E I N T E R N E T Ensure that you have subscribed to an Internet provider. With the Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File. If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it, click the checkmark to remove it and connect to the Internet. For help, contact your Internet service provider.
S C A N T H E C O M P U T E R F O R S P Y W A R E If you are experiencing slow computer performance, you frequently receive pop-up advertisements, or you are having problems connecting to the Internet, your computer might be infected with spyware. Use an antivirus program that includes anti-spyware protection (your program may require an upgrade) to scan the computer and remove spyware. For more information, go to support.dell.com and search for the keyword spyware.

Error Messages

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.
B A D C O M M A N D O R F I L E N A M E Ensure that you have spelled the command correctly, put spaces in the proper place, and used the correct pathname. CD D R I V E C O N T R O L L E R F A I L U R E The CD drive does not respond to commands from the computer. See page 45. D A T A E R R O R The hard drive cannot read the data. See page 45. T H E F I L E B E I N G C O P I E D I S T O O L A R G E F O R T H E D E S T I N A T I O N D R I V E The file that you are trying to copy is too large to fit on the disk, or the disk is too full. Try copying the file to a different disk or use a larger capacity disk. A F I L E N A M E C A N N O T C O N T A I N A N Y O F T H E F O L L O W I N G C H A R A C T E R S : \ / : * ? < > | Do not use these characters in filenames. I N S E R T B O O T A B L E M E D I A The operating system is trying to boot to a nonbootable CD. Insert a bootable CD. N O T E N O U G H M E M O R Y O R R E S O U R C E S. E X I T S O M E P R O G R A M S A N D T R Y A G A I N You have too many programs open. Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. O P E R A T I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D Reinstall the hard drive, see page 39. If the problem persists, contact Dell, see page 92.
A R E Q U I R E D. D L L F I L E W A S N O T F O U N D The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file. Remove and then reinstall the program. 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Click Add or Remove Programs. 3 Select the program you want to remove. 4 Click Remove or Change/Remove and follow the prompts on the screen. 5 See the program documentation for installation instructions. < D R I V E L E T T E R > : \ I S N O T A C C E S S I B L E. T H E D E V I C E I S N O T R E A D Y Insert a disk into the drive and try again.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: Use the integrated keyboard when working in MS-DOS mode or when running the Dell Diagnostics or the system setup program. When you attach an external keyboard, the integrated keyboard remains fully functional.

External Keyboard Problems
NOTE: When you attach an external keyboard, the integrated keyboard remains fully functional.
C H E C K T H E K E Y B O A R D C A B L E Shut down the computer. Disconnect the keyboard cable and check it for damage, and firmly reconnect the cable. If you are using a keyboard extension cable, disconnect it and connect the keyboard directly to the computer. CHECK THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD 1 Shut down the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again. 2 Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink during the boot routine. 3 From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and click Notepad. 4 Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display. If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external keyboard.
TO V E R I F Y T H A T T H E P R O B L E M I S W I T H T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D , C H E C K T H E I N T E G R A T E D KEYBOARD 1 Shut down the computer. 2 Disconnect the external keyboard. 3 Turn on the computer. 4 From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and click Notepad. 5 Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display. If the characters appear now but did not with the external keyboard, you may have a defective external keyboard. Contact Dell (see page 92).

Unexpected Characters

D I S A B L E T H E N U M E R I C K E Y P A D Press <Num Lk> to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.
Lockups and Software Problems
The computer does not start up
E N S U R E T H A T T H E AC A D A P T E R I S F I R M L Y C O N N E C T E D T O T H E C O M P U T E R A N D T O T H E

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

The computer stops responding
NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.
TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. Then restart your computer.
Slow computer performance or problems connecting to the Internet
A program stops responding
END THE PROGRAM 1 Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously. 2 Click Applications. 3 Click the program that is no longer responding. 4 Click End Task.
A program crashes repeatedly
NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD.
C H E C K T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I O N If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system

PC Card Problems

C H E C K T H E P C C A R D Ensure that the PC Card is properly inserted into the connector. E N S U R E T H A T T H E C A R D I S R E C O G N I Z E D B Y W I N D O W S Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Windows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listed. I F Y O U H A V E P R O B L E M S W I T H A D E L L - P R O V I D E D P C C A R D Contact Dell (see page 92). I F Y O U H A V E P R O B L E M S W I T H A P C C A R D N O T P R O V I D E D B Y D E L L Contact the PC Card manufacturer.

Power Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: See the Dell Inspiron Help file for information on standby mode. To access the help file, see page 9.
C H E C K T H E P O W E R L I G H T When the power light is lit or blinking, the computer has power. If the power light is blinking, the computer is in standby modepress the power button to exit standby mode. If the light is off, press the power button to turn on the computer. C H A R G E T H E B A T T E R Y The battery charge may be depleted. 1 Reinstall the battery. 2 Use the AC adapter to connect the computer to an electrical outlet. 3 Turn on the computer. NOTE: Battery operating time (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. C H E C K T H E B A T T E R Y S T A T U S L I G H T If the battery status light slowly flashes green without the AC adapter connected, the battery charge is low or depleted. Connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery status light rapidly flashes green with the AC adapter connected, the battery may be too hot to charge. Shut down the computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet, and then let the battery and computer cool to room temperature. C H E C K T H E B A T T E R Y T E M P E R A T U R E If the battery temperature is below 0 C (32 F), the computer will not start up. TE S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. C H E C K T H E A C A D A P T E R Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the AC adapter has a light, ensure that the light is on. C O N N E C T T H E C O M P U T E R D I R E C T L Y T O A N E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify that the computer turns on. E L I M I N A T E P O S S I B L E I N T E R F E R E N C E Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, or other appliances. A D J U S T T H E P O W E R P R O P E R T I E S See the Dell Inspiron Help file or search for the keyword standby in the Help and Support Center. To access help, see page 9.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver. 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Click System. 4 In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab. 5 Click Device Manager.
6 Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon. If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver, see the following section, "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities."
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback
If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version. 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Click System. 4 In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab. 5 Click Device Manager. 6 Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties. 7 Click the Drivers tab. 8 Click Roll Back Driver. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver.
Manually Reinstalling Drivers
NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com provides approved drivers for Dell computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly. 1 After copying the driver files to your hard drive, click the Start button and right-click My Computer. 2 Click Properties. 3 Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager. 4 Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for example, Modems or Infrared devices). 5 Double-click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver. 6 Click the Driver tab and click Update Driver. 7 Click Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) and click Next. 8 Click Browse and browse to the location to which you previously extracted the driver files. 9 When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click Next. 10 Click Finish and restart your computer.

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility. To resolve incompatibilities using the Hardware Troubleshooter: 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field and click the arrow to start the search. 3 Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list. 4 In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer, and click Next.
Restoring Your Operating System
You can restore your operating system in the following ways: Microsoft Windows XP System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. Dell PC Restore by Symantec restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Dell PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications installed after you received the computer.
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See the Windows Help and Support Center for information on using System Restore. To access help, see page 9. NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them. NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not work if you set your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view.

Creating a Restore Point

1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Click System Restore. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen.
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
If problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver Rollback (see page 61) to resolve the problem. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore. NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete. 1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs Accessories System Tools, and then click System Restore. 2 Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and click Next. 3 Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer. The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in boldface type. 4 Select a restore point and click Next. If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer. 5 Click Next. The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then the computer restarts. 6 After the computer restarts, click OK. To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.

Undoing the Last System Restore
NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete. 1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs Accessories System Tools, and then click System Restore. 2 Click Undo my last restoration and click Next.

Enabling System Restore

If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled: 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Click System.
4 Click the System Restore tab. 5 Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
Use Dell PC Restore by Symantec only as the last method to restore your operating system. PC Restore restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Any programs or files added since you received your computer including data filesare permanently deleted from the hard drive. Data files include documents, spreadsheets, e-mail messages, digital photos, music files, and so on. If possible, back up all data before using PC Restore. NOTICE: Using PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications or drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using PC Restore. To use PC Restore: 1 Turn on the computer. During the boot process, a blue bar with www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen. 2 Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl><F11>. If you do not press <Ctrl><F11> in time, let the computer finish restarting, and then restart the computer again. NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot in the following step. 3 On the next screen that appears, click Restore. 4 On the next screen, click Confirm. The restore process takes approximately 610 minutes to complete. 5 When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer. NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot. 6 When prompted, click Yes. The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on. 7 Click Next. The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts. 8 After the computer restarts, click OK.

Removing PC Restore

NOTICE: PC Restore enables you to restore your computers operating system to the condition it was in when you purchased your computer. It is recommended that you do not remove PC Restore from your computer, even to gain additional hard drive space. If you remove PC Restore from the hard drive, you cannot ever recall it, and you will never be able to use PC Restore to return your computers operating system to its original state. 1 Log on to the computer as a local administrator. 2 In Windows Explorer, go to c:\dell\utilities\DSR. 3 Double-click the filename DSRIRRemv2.exe. NOTE: If you do not log on as a local administrator, a message appears stating that you that you

must do so. Click Quit and log on as a local administrator.
If the partition for PC Restore does not exist, a message appears stating that the partition was not found. Click Quit; there is no partition to delete. 4 Click OK to remove the partition. 5 Click Yes when a confirmation message appears. The partition is deleted and the c:\ partition expands to include the newly available disk space. To check the available space, right-click the c:\ drive in Windows Explorer and select Properties. 6 Click Finish to close the PC Restore Removal window. 7 Restart the computer.

Appendix

Specifications
Processor Processor type L1 Trace Cache L1 Data Cache L2 cache External bus frequency System Information System chipset Data bus width DRAM bus width Processor address bus width Flash EPROM PCI bus PC Card CardBus controller PC Card connector Cards supported PC Card connector size Data width (maximum) Texas Instruments PCI 1510 CardBus controller one (supports one Type I or Type II cards) 3.3 V and 5 V 68 pins PCMCIA 16 bits CardBus 32 bits SiS M650, 962L 64 bits 64 bits 32 bits 1 MB 32 bits Intel Mobile Celeron 12 KB (internal) 8 KB (internal) 256 KB 400 MHz
Memory Integrated memory Memory module connector Memory module capacity Memory type Minimum memory Maximum memory Ports and Connectors Audio Modem Network adapter USB Video Communications Modem: Type Controller Interface Network adapter Video Video type Video controller Video memory 32 MB with 256 MB of system memory 64 MB if system memory is larger than 256 MB LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling) SiS M650 integrated graphics v.92 56K MDC (modem daughter card) softmodem internal bus 10/100 Ethernet LAN on system board microphone connector, stereo headphone/speakers connector RJ-11 port RJ-45 port three 4-pin USB 2.0 connectors 15-hole connector 256-MB DDR 1 one SODIMM socket 256 MB 2.5-V SODIMM 256 MB 512 MB

LCD interface

Audio Audio controller Stereo conversion Interfaces: Internal External Speaker Internal speaker amplifier Volume controls Display Type (active-matrix TFT) Dimensions: Height Width Diagonal Maximum resolutions: XGA Response time (typical) Refresh rate Operating angle Viewing angles: Horizontal Vertical Pixel pitch: XGA Power consumption (panel with backlight) (typical): Controls 0.24 mm (on 12.1-inch display); 0.297 mm (on 14.1-inch display); 0.297 (on 15-inch display) 4W brightness can be controlled through keyboard shortcuts 40 (XGA) +10/30 (XGA) 1024 x 768 at 16.7 million colors 20-ms rise (maximum), 30-ms fall (maximum) 60 Hz 0 (closed) to 180 214.3 mm (8.4 inches) 285.7 mm (11.3 inches) 357.1 mm (14.1 inches) XGA PCI bus microphone-in connector, stereo headphones/speakers connector two 4-ohm speakers 1-W channel into 4 ohms key combinations, program menus Analog Devices AD1981B 16-bit (analog-to-digital) and 20-bit (digital-to-analog)

Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers 1-800-534-3066
General Support Website: support.euro.dell.com E-mail for French-speaking Customers: support.euro.dell.com/be/fr/emaildell/ Technical Support Technical Support Fax Customer Care Corporate Sales Fax Switchboard
15.00 1-800-342-0671 toll-free: 800-10-3390 toll-free: 1-866-278-toll-free: 1-800-247-9362 toll-free: 1-800-847-4096 toll-free: 1-800-326-9463 toll-free: 1-800-847-4096 toll-free: 1-800-387-5757 toll-free: 1-800-387-5752 toll-free: 1-800-387-3355 1-800-805-7541
Bermuda Bolivia Brazil International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 55 City Code: 51 British Virgin Islands Brunei Country Code: 673 Canada (North York, Ontario) International Access Code: 011
General Support General Support Website: www.dell.com/br Customer Support, Technical Support Technical Support Fax Customer Care Fax Sales General Support Customer Technical Support (Penang, Malaysia) Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia) Transaction Sales (Penang, Malaysia) Online Order Status: www.dell.ca/ostatus AutoTech (automated technical support) Customer Care (Home Sales/Small Business) Customer Care (med./large business, government) Technical Support (Home Sales/Small Business) Technical Support (med./large bus., government) Sales (Home Sales/Small Business) Sales (med./large bus., government) Spare Parts Sales & Extended Service Sales

Cayman Islands

General Support
Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City Code Chile (Santiago) Country Code: 56 City Code: 2 China (Xiamen) Country Code: 86 City Code: 592
Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers toll-free: 1230-020-4823
Sales, Customer Support, and Technical Support
Technical Support website: support.dell.com.cn Technical Support E-mail: cn_support@dell.com Customer Care E-mail: customer_cn@dell.com Technical Support Fax Technical Support (Dell Dimension and Inspiron) Technical Support (OptiPlex, Latitude, and Dell Precision) Technical Support (servers and storage) Technical Support (projectors, PDAs, switches, routers, and so on) Technical Support (printers) Customer Care Customer Care Fax Home and Small Business Preferred Accounts Division Large Corporate Accounts GCP Large Corporate Accounts Key Accounts Large Corporate Accounts North Large Corporate Accounts North Government and Education Large Corporate Accounts East Large Corporate Accounts East Government and Education Large Corporate Accounts Queue Team Large Corporate Accounts South Large Corporate Accounts West Large Corporate Accounts Spare Parts 1350 toll-free: 2969 toll-free: 0950 toll-free: 0960 toll-free: 2920 toll-free: 2311 toll-free: toll-free: 2222 toll-free: 2557 toll-free: 2055 toll-free: 2628 toll-free: 2999 toll-free: 2955 toll-free: 2020 toll-free: 2669 toll-free: 2572 toll-free: 2355 toll-free: 2811 toll-free: 2621 980-9-15-3978

Colombia

Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City Code Costa Rica Czech Republic (Prague) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 420

Switzerland (Geneva) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 41 City Code: 22
Website: support.euro.dell.com E-mail: Tech_support_central_Europe@dell.com E-mail for French-speaking HSB and Corporate Customers: support.euro.dell.com/ch/fr/emaildell/ Technical Support (Home and Small Business) Technical Support (Corporate) Customer Care (Home and Small Business) Customer Care (Corporate) Fax Switchboard 01 01
Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City Code Taiwan International Access Code: 002 Country Code: 886
Website: support.ap.dell.com E-mail: ap_support@dell.com Technical Support (OptiPlex, Latitude, Inspiron, Dimension, and Electronics and Accessories) Technical Support (PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, and PowerVault) Transaction Sales Corporate Sales toll-free: 1011 toll-free: 1256 toll-free: 1228 toll-free: 227 toll-free: 07 toll-free: toll-free: 009 toll-free: 006 1-800-805-8035 toll-free: 1-866-540-3355
Thailand International Access Code: 001 Country Code: 66
Website: support.ap.dell.com Technical Support (OptiPlex, Latitude, and Dell Precision) Technical Support (PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, and PowerVault) Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia) Corporate Sales Transaction Sales
Trinidad/Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands
Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City Code U.K. (Bracknell) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 44 City Code: 1344
Website: support.euro.dell.com Customer Care website: support.euro.dell.com/uk/en/ECare/Form/Home.asp E-mail: dell_direct_support@dell.com Technical Support (Corporate/Preferred Accounts/PAD [1000+ employees]) Technical Support (direct and general) Global Accounts Customer Care Home and Small Business Customer Care Corporate Customer Care Preferred Accounts (5005000 employees) Customer Care Central Government Customer Care Local Government & Education Customer Care Health Customer Care Home and Small Business Sales Corporate/Public Sector Sales Home and Small Business Fax toll-free: 000-413-598-2521

October 13, 2004

Dell AC Adapter Recall FAQ
What is the issue with the Dell C-Family AC Adapter? The adapters can overheat, which could pose risk of fire or electrical shock.
What are the symptoms of the issue? Customers could experience smoke emitting from the AC adapter. Customers could also experience the housing of the AC adapter melting or, in some cases, a flame.
What is Dell doing to correct the issues? Dell worked with the AC adapter supplier to address the issue. All service stock and customer kit stock was updated to contain only unaffected parts. We will begin proactive AC adapter replacements in October 2004.
How is the AC Adapter being changed to address the issue? The adapter has been redesigned to prevent future occurrences of this problem. The AC adapter shipping with current Dell platforms (except Inspiron 1000) has a different design that enables cord wrapping.
Why are the D-Family AC Adapters different from the C-Family AC Adapters? The redesign of the Latitude line of products offered an opportunity to implement significant feature and functionality changes that added value for our customers. The D-Family contains a number of improvements and enhancements, some of which were implemented in the AC Adapter. Enhancements from C-Family to D-Family included: Longer and thinner, 6 foot DC cord and shorter, 3 foot AC cord makes wrapping easier. Recessed AC cord connector facilitates wrapping and reduces overall size. New barrel connector enables easier insertion at any orientation. One brick design with both 2-wire and 3-wire functionality improved the design for global customers. This redesign virtually eliminated dangling wire in Japan. Removable rubber strap secures the cords with loop fastener. All currently shipping Latitude, Dell Precision and Inspiron notebooks use these new adapters (excluding the Inspiron 1000).
What causes the issue? The issue is associated with mechanical wear, such as that caused by repeated winding and bending or violently pulling of the AC adapter cord, which can cause stress at the joint where the AC inlet pins connect to the adapters circuit board.
Is it a safety issue? Yes. The adapters can overheat, which could pose risk of fire or electrical shock.
Is there a risk of data loss with the issue? No. The failure mode will result in the AC adapter being inoperable.
Have any incidents been reported from the field regarding this issue? Yes. A small number of Dell customers have reported overheating-related incidents with the affected adapter. One customer received a minor burn.
With what Dell systems did the AC Adapter ship? Latitude CP, CPi, CPiA, CPtC, CPiR, CPxH, CPtV, CS, CSx, CPxJ, CPtS, C500, C510, C600, C610, C800, C810, V700, C-Dock, C-Port Precision M40 Inspiron 2500, 2600, 3700, 3800, 4000, 4100, 4150, 5000, 5000e, 7500, 7550, 8000, 8100, Advanced Port Replicator, Docking Station
Are Latitude D-Family AC adapters affected? No.
What is the timeframe in which the adapters shipped to customers? September 1998 through February 2002
What part numbers are affected by the issue? Dell part numbers 9364U, 7832D and 4983D.
What should I do if I bought one of these systems in the affected timeframe? Customers should log onto www.delladapterprogram.com to determine if they have an adapter affected by this issue. If customers cannot access the website, customers may also call 800-418-8590, Monday Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, to determine if they have an affected adapter. Customers should discontinue use of any adapter which is determined to be affected.
How do I contact Dell to find out more information about this issue? Customers should log onto www.delladapterprogram.com to determine if they have an adapter affected by this issue.
Customers will need to locate the identification label on the adapter and enter this number on the web site. Dell will compare the identification numbers to a list of known affected adapters. If it is affected the customer will automatically be connected to a replacement order entry request web page. Customers may also call 800-418-8590, Monday Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST. Please see Addendum A for an international phone list.
What should I do until I receive my replacement adapter? If the adapter has been determined to be potentially affected via the www.delladapterprogram.com website, Dell recommends customers cease the use of the adapter until they receive the replacement.
What has been done to make sure Dell does not ship the affected parts? Shipment of affected parts ended in February 2002.
Is Dell going to proactively take field action? Yes. Dell is participating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other regulatory agencies around the world to provide customers with notice of the issue and replacement adapters. Dell is also providing a means for customers to return the affected adapters to Dell for proper disposal. We will begin proactive AC adapter replacements in October 2004.

Is this a recall? Yes. Dell is participating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies around the world to provide customers with notice of the issue and replacement adapters. Dell is also providing a means for customers to return the affected adapters to Dell for proper disposal. We will begin proactive AC adapter replacements in October 2004. Is this a global recall? Yes. The legally approved documents have been distributed to Dell regions worldwide. Each region will be contacting their customer lists, and they will be providing options such as bulk shipments and on-site assistance. For global accounts, the SAM (Service Account Manager) team can help coordinate communication for your account with our global contacts. For indirect countries, each of the regions will be working with the local service provider/reseller to identify the location of affected AC adapters.
How is Dell going to contact customers? Dell will be directly contacting its customers for whom it has reliable customer contact information, via email, letters or phone calls. Dell will also work with the CPSC on its press release and will post a notice on its website.
Why didn't Dell provide any prior notice to our corporate customers before the press release was issued? Dell notification is intended to support all customers as expediently as possible given the nature of the potential issue. Simultaneous notification was deemed the most efficient method to accomplish this goal.
Do I have to pay for the shipping charges when I return the affected adapters to Dell? No. When you receive new adapters, you will also receive return air bill labels to return the affected adapters to Dell.
Why is Dell requesting the return of the customers old AC adapters? To ensure that the affected adapters are no longer used and to properly dispose of them.
Why are we only being notified now? This issue shows up over time and these adapters have extremely small failure rates. We are now working to procure additional service parts to deploy this proactive service campaign.
ADDENDUM A - International Tech Support Phone List EMEA Country (City) International Access Code City Code Austria (Vienna) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 43 City Code: 1 Belgium (Brussels) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 32 City Code: 2 Czech Republic (Prague) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 420 City Code: 2 Denmark (Copenhagen) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 45 Finland (Helsinki) Department Name Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers 530 16

Home/Small Business Customer Care Preferred Accounts/Corporate Customer Care

Customer Care

Customer Care (Relational)

7023 0184

Home/Small Business Customer Care Relational Customer Care

313 38

International Access Code: 990 Country Code: 358 City Code: 9 France (Paris) (Montpellier) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 33 City Code: (1) (4) Germany (Langen) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 49 City Code: 6103 Greece International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 30 Ireland (Cherrywood) International Access Code: 16 Country Code: 353 City Code: 1
Home/Small Business Customer Care Home and Small Business Customer Care Corporate Customer Care

338 339

Home/Small Business Customer Care Global Segment Customer Care Preferred Accounts Customer Care Large Accounts Customer Care Public Accounts Customer Care Technical Support Gold Technical Support Home User Customer Care Small Business Customer Care U.K. Customer Care (dial within U.K. only) Corporate Customer Care Corporate Customer Care (dial within U.K. only) Home and Small Business Customer Care Customer Care
0180-5-766-766-766-766-825 55
Italy (Milan) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 39 City Code: 02 Luxembourg International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 352 Netherlands (Amsterdam) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 31 City Code: 20 Norway (Lysaker) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 47 Poland (Warsaw) International Access Code: 011 Country Code: 48 City Code: 22 Portugal International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 351 South Africa (Johannesburg) International Access Code: 09/091 Country Code: 27
Customer Care (Brussels, Belgium)
Relational Customer Care Home/Small Business Customer Care Customer Care

95 999

City Code: 11 Spain (Madrid) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 34 City Code: 91 Sweden (Upplands Vasby) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 46 City Code: 8 Switzerland (Geneva) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 41 City Code: 22 U.K. (Bracknell) International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 44 City Code: 1344
Home and Small Business Customer Care Corporate Customer Care

118 546

Relational Customer Care Home/Small Business Customer Care

70 527

Customer Care (Home and Small Business) Customer Care (Corporate)

821 721

Global Accounts Customer Care Home and Small Business Customer Care Corporate Customer Care Preferred Accounts (5005000 employees) Cust Care Central Government Customer Care Local Government & Education Customer Care Health Customer Care
Americas and Asia Country U.S. South and Latin America Australia Brazil Brunei Canada China Hong Kong India Japan Korea Macau Malaysia New Zealand Singapore Taiwan Thailand
Department Name Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support (Toll-free, Domestic only) Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support Technical Support
Phone Number 1-888-245-3844 512-225-6617 1-0800-90-7439 1-877-237-3355 1-800-858-0896 2969-3191 1-600-33-8045 0120-1984-99 080-200-(LOCAL) 1-941140 1-7439 0080-186-1011 1- 6085