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Dell™ Latitude™ D420
Quick Reference Guide
Model PP09S
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
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Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in your User’s Guide. ® ® If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, a
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Contents Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Left View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Right View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4 Contents
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Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer. What Are You Looking For? Find It Here A diagnostic program for my computer Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD) Drivers for my computer NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer. My device documentation
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What Are You Looking For? Find It Here How to remove and replace parts Dell™ Latitude™ User’s Guide Specifications Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center How to configure system settings 1 Click Start→ Help and Support→ Dell User and System How to troubleshoot and solve problems Guides→ System Guides. 2 Click the User’s Guide for your computer. ® ® Service Tag and Express Service Code Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License Microsoft Windows License Label These labels are loc
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What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles Dell Support Website — support.dell.com from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked NOTE: Select your region or business segment to view the questions appropriate support site. Community — Online discussion with other Dell customers Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system Customer Care — Contact information, service cal
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What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Information on network activity, the Power Management Dell QuickSet Help Wizard, hotkeys, and other items controlled by Dell To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the icon QuickSet. ® ® in the Microsoft Windows taskbar. For more information on Dell QuickSet, see "Dell™ QuickSet" in your User’s Guide. How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD NOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer. The oper
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Setting Up Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. 1 Unpack the accessories box. 2 Set aside the contents of the accessories box, which you will need to complete the setup of your computer. The accessories box also contains user documentation and any software or additional hardware (such as PC Cards, drives, or batteries) that you have ordered. 3 Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter con
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About Your Computer See your online User’s Guide for detailed information about your computer. To access the User’s Guide (depending on your operating system), either double-click the User’s Guide icon on your desktop, or click the Start button, click Help and Support Center, and then click User and system guides. The following items address some of the more commonly asked questions about the computer. Modem and network adapter: The computer may include both a v.92 56K modem and a 10/100/10
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Front View 1 2 10 9 3 8 7 6 5 4 1 display latch 5 touch pad buttons 9 keyboard and network status lights 2 display 6 track stick 10 ambient light sensor 3 device status lights 7 keyboard 4 touch pad 8 speaker Quick Reference Guide 11
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Left View 4 1 2 3 5 6 1 security cable slot 3 headphone connector 5 SmartCard slot 2 microphone connector 4 PC Card slot 6 Secure Digital(SD) card slot Right 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. 3 2 1 1 air vent 2 WiFi locator Wireless 3 power button On/Off Switch Back
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NOTE: The D420 has been optimally designed to be used with the slim Media Base for docking. However, it is compatible with the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock. With the use of the D-Family D/Port and D/Dock, all ports can be effectively utilized except for the 1394 port. If the use of this port is required, it is recommended that you utilize the Media Base as your primary docking device. Bottom View CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not st
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Using a Battery Battery Performance NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer. For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell™ portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay. NOTE: Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to
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Checking the Battery Charge The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft Windows Power Meter window and icon, the battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery charge. Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter If Dell QuickSet is installed, press to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. The Battery Meter displays status, battery health, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your computer. For more information about Qui
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Low-Battery Warning NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically. By default, a pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. You can change the settings for the battery alarms in QuickSet or the Power Options Properties window. See "Configuring Power Management Setti
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3 Slide the two battery-bay release latches on the bottom of the computer until the latches click. 4 Slide the battery away from the computer. 2 1 1 battery 2 battery-bay latch releases(2) To replace the battery, place the battery in the bay and press down until the battery-bay latch release clicks. Storing a Battery Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery ful
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Troubleshooting Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. The computer does not start up ENSURE THAT THE AC ADAPTER IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET. The computer stops responding NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown. TURN THE COMPUTER OFF — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on
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Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION — Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer. Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information. Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly. Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.
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Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive. NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your User’s Guide). 1 Shut down the computer. 2 If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions. 3 Connect the computer to an electrical outlet. 4 Diagnostics can b
