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book.book Page 1 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM
Vostro™ | A840/A860
Setup and
Quick Reference Guide
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book.book Page 2 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM 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. Macrovision Product Notice This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by met
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book.book Page 3 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Contents Contents About Your Computer . . . . . . . . 7 Transferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Right View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . 33 Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . 33 Left View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 System Messages . . . . . . . . . 40 Battery Removal . . .
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book.book Page 4 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Contents Lockups and Software Finding Information . . . . . . . . 59 Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Dell Technical Update Service . . . 49 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Dell Support Center . . . . . . . . . . 49 Obtaining Assistance. . . . . . . . . 63 Technical Support and Customer Reinstalling Software . . . . . . . 51 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Drivers .
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book.book Page 5 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Contents Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 5
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book.book Page 6 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Contents 6
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book.book Page 7 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer About Your Computer DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS Front View The lights located on the palm rest towards the front of the computer indicate the following: Power light – Turns on when you turn on the computer, and blinks when the computer is in a power management mode. Hard drive activity light – Turns on when the computer reads or writes data. 1 NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the ligh
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book.book Page 8 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer AUDIO CONNECTORS Right View Attach headphones to the connector 1 Attach a microphone to the connector 2 TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse. 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 display 2 keyboard status lights 3 AC adapter 4 modem connector connector 5 keyboard 6 optical drive eject button 7 optical drive light 8 optical drive 8
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book.book Page 9 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer CAUTION: The AC adapter works with DISPLAY — For more information on the display, electrical outlets worldwide. However, see Dell Technology Guide. power connectors and power strips vary KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS — among countries. Using an incompatible The lights located above the keyboard indicate the cable or improperly connecting the cable following: to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or eq
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book.book Page 10 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer PC CARD SLOT — Supports one PC Card, such Left View as a modem or network adapter. The computer ships with a blank installed in the slot to prevent foreign matter from entering the computer interior when a card is not installed. 3-IN-1 MEDIA CARD READER — Provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digital photos, music, videos, and documents stored on the following digital memory cards: � Secure digit
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book.book Page 11 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45) AIR VENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating. Connects the computer to a The fan automatically turns on when the network. The two lights next to computer gets hot. the connector indicate status and activity for wired network connections. For information on using the network adapter, see the device use
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book.book Page 12 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or designed to work with your Dell™ computer. allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do Do not use a battery from other computers not store your Dell™ computer in with your computer. a low-airflow environment, such as a closed CAUTION: Before removing or replacing the briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the battery, turn off the computer, disconnect the air
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book.book Page 13 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer To remove the battery: 1 1 Ensure that the computer is turned off. 2 Slide the two release latches on the bottom of the computer, and then remove the battery from the bay. 2 To replace the battery, slide the battery into the bay until it clicks into place. 1 battery 2 battery release latches (2) 13
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book.book Page 14 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM About Your Computer 14
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book.book Page 15 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Quick Setup Quick Setup CAUTION: Before working inside your NOTICE: When you disconnect the computer, read the safety information that AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp shipped with your computer. For additional the connector, not the cable itself, and pull safety best practices information, see the firmly but gently to avoid damaging the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at cable. When you wrap the AC adapter cable, www.dell
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book.book Page 16 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Quick Setup 1 Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter 3 Connect USB devices, such as a mouse connector on the computer and to the or keyboard. electrical outlet. 2 Connect the network cable. 16
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book.book Page 17 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Quick Setup 4 Open the computer display and press the Connecting to the Internet power button to turn on the computer. NOTE: Internet Service Provider(s) (ISP) and ISP offerings vary by country. To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an ISP. 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 you
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book.book Page 18 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Quick Setup ® ® To set up an Internet connection with a desktop Microsoft Windows Vista Operating shortcut provided by your ISP: System 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. open programs. ® 2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft 2 Click the Windows Vista Start button → ® Windows desktop. Control Panel 3 Follow the instructions on the screen to 3 Under Netwo
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book.book Page 19 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Quick Setup 5 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 NOTE: The instructions in this section are for computers with Windows Vista operating system installed. 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button , and then click Transfer files and settings→ Start Windows Easy Transfer. 2 In the User Account Control dialog box, clic
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book.book Page 20 Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:38 PM Quick Setup 20
