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Dell Precision™
Mobile Workstation M20
Quick Reference Guide
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 your online User’s Guide. To access your User’s Guide, (depending upon your operat
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Contents Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Battery Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Checking the Battery Charge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ® ® Microsoft Windows Power Meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Charge Gauge . . . . . . . . . .
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4 Contents
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Finding Information NOTE: Some features 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 Documentation and drivers are already installed on your My computer documentation computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers, run the Dell Diagnostics, or access your documentation. My dev
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What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Service Tag and Express Service Code Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License Microsoft Windows License Label These labels are located on the bottom of your computer. Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact technical support. Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting technical support. Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles Dell Support Website — support.
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What Are You Looking For? Find It Here How to use Windows XP Windows Help and Support Center Documentation for my computer 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. Documentation for devices (such as a modem) 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. How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD The operating system is already installed on you
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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 co
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4 Open the computer display and press the power button to turn on the computer. power button NOTE: Do not connect the computer to the docking device until the computer has been turned on and shut down at least once. Battery Performance CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: Batteries for portable computers are covered only during the initial 1-year period of the limited warranty for you
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Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. You can install an optional second battery in the module bay to significantly increase operating time. For more information about the second battery, see your User’s Guide. Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the following: Using optical drives, such as DVD and CD drives Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, or USB devices Using high-brightness displ
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In addition, when your computer is connected to a docking device (docked), the Battery Meter window includes a Dock Battery tab, which displays the charge level and current status of the docking device battery. The following icons appear in the Battery Meter window: The computer or docking device is running on battery power. The battery is discharging or idle. The computer or docking device is connected to an electrical outlet and running on AC power. The battery is charging. The co
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Health Gauge The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. After hundreds of charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose some charge capacity, or battery health. To check the battery health, press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds. If no lights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its original charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental degradation. If five lig
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Charging the Battery NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 1 hour with the computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you like. The battery’s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging. When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge an
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Installing a Battery Slide the battery into the bay until the latch release clicks. For information about installing the second battery, see your User’s Guide. 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, charge the battery fully before you use it. 14 Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M20 Quick Reference Guide www.dell.com | support.dell.com
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About Your Computer Front View display keyboard and wireless status lights power button mute button volume control device status buttons lights track stick keyboard track stick/touch pad button touch pad display latch speakers Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M20 Quick Reference Guide 15
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Left View smart card PC Card slot slot security cable slot audio infrared sensor connectors (2) 16 Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M20 Quick Reference Guide www.dell.com | support.dell.com
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Right View module bay USB device latch connectors (2) release Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M20 Quick Reference Guide 17
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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. S-video TV-out USB connectors (2) connector modem connector (RJ-11) network connector parallel connector (RJ-45) air vents AC adapter serial connector video connector connector 18 Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M20 Quic
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Bottom View battery-bay latch battery charge gauge memory module cover release battery hard drive modem cover fan docking device slot Solving Problems Notebook System Software Notebook System Software (NSS) is a utility that provides critical updates for your operating ® system. Install the NSS program to gain support for Dell 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel ® Pentium M processors, optical drives, and USB devices. NSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell portable computer. NOTIC
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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 your keyboard o
