Dell INSPIRON P17F User Manual Page 1

SETUP GUIDEINSPIRON™

8Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Press the Power Button

Printed in the U.S.A.www.dell.com | support.dell.com

9Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Set Up the Operating SystemYour Dell computer is preconfigured with the operating system you selected at the time of

10Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Create System Recovery Media (Recommended)NOTE: It is recommended that you create system recovery media as soon as y

11Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop To create system recovery media:1. Ensure that the AC adapter is connected (see “Connect the AC Adapter” on page6).

12Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Install the SIM Card (Optional)NOTE: The SIM card slot is available in your computer only if you ordered a WWAN card

13Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop 1 SIM card slot2 SIM card3 battery bay123

14Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)

15Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop To enable or disable wireless:1. Ensure that your computer is turnedon.2. Press <Fn> along with the <>

16Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Set Up Wireless Display (Optional)NOTE: The wireless display feature may not be supported on all computers. For info

17Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop To enable wireless display:1. Click the Intel Wireless Display icon on the desktop. The Intel Wireless Display win

18Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Setting Up a Wired Connection•If you are using a dial-up connection, connect the telephone line to the optional ext

19Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Setting Up Your Internet ConnectionISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for offerings available

20Using Your Inspiron LaptopThis section provides information about the features available on your Inspiron laptop.Right View Features12 3 4 5 6 7INSP

21Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 Optical drive — Plays or records CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs (optional). For more information, see “Using the Optical

22Using Your Inspiron Laptop Left View Features12 3

23Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 USB 2.0 connector — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player.2 HDMI c

24Using Your Inspiron Laptop 4

25Using Your Inspiron Laptop 4 8-in-1 Media Card Reader — Provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digital photos, music, videos, and docu

26Using Your Inspiron Laptop Back View Features1 2 3 4 5

27Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to the computer.NOTE: Before you buy a security

SETUP GUIDERegulatory model: P17F Regulatory type: P17F001INSPIRON™

28Using Your Inspiron Laptop Front View Features1 2 3 4

29Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 Power indicator light — Indicates the power states. For more information on the power indicator light, see “Status Ligh

30Using Your Inspiron Laptop Status Lights and IndicatorsBattery Status Light Indicator light statusComputer state(s) Battery charge statusAC adapte

31Using Your Inspiron Laptop Power Button Light/Power Indicator Light Indicator light status Computer state(s)solid whitebreathing whiteoffonstandby

32Using Your Inspiron Laptop Computer Base and Keyboard Features1243

33Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 Power button and light — Press to turn on or off your computer. The light on the button indicates the power states. For

34Using Your Inspiron Laptop 5

35Using Your Inspiron Laptop 5 Windows Mobility Center button — Press to launch the Windows Mobility Center. Windows Mobility Center provides quick ac

36Using Your Inspiron Laptop Touch Pad GesturesNOTE: Some of the touch pad gestures may be disabled by default. To change the touch pad gestures setti

37Using Your Inspiron Laptop ZoomAllows you to increase or decrease the magnification of the screen content. The zoom feature includes:Pinch — Allows

Notes, Cautions, and WarningsNOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates

38Using Your Inspiron Laptop Multimedia Control KeysThe multimedia control keys are located on the function key row on the keyboard. To use the multim

39Using Your Inspiron Laptop Play the previous track or chapter Decrease the volume levelPlay or pause Increase the volume levelPlay the next track or

40Using Your Inspiron Laptop Using the Optical DriveCAUTION: Do not press down on the optical drive tray when you open or close it. Keep the optical d

41Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 disc2 spindle3 optical drive tray4 emergency eject hole5 optical drive eject button13524

42Using Your Inspiron Laptop Display Features1 2 3

43Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 Microphone— Provides high quality sound for video conferencing and voice recording.2 Camera — Built-in camera for vide

44Using Your Inspiron Laptop Removing and Replacing the Top Cover (Optional)WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow th

45Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 top cover2 release button3 back of the computer123

46Using Your Inspiron Laptop To replace the top cover:NOTE: Ensure that the Dell logo is facing towards the back of the computer while replacing the t

47Using Your Inspiron Laptop

3 Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop . . . .5Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . 5Connect the AC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Connect

48Using Your Inspiron Laptop Removing and Replacing the BatteryWARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety inst

49Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 battery lock latch2 battery3 battery release latch123

50Using Your Inspiron Laptop Software FeaturesFastAccess Facial RecognitionYour computer may have the FastAccess facial recognition feature. This feat

51Using Your Inspiron Laptop Dell DataSafe Online BackupNOTE: Dell DataSafe Online is supported only on Windows operating systems.NOTE: A broadband co

52Using Your Inspiron Laptop Dell StageThe Dell Stage software installed on your computer provides access to your favorite media applications.To laun

53Using Your Inspiron Laptop • PHOTO — View, organize, or edit your pictures. You can create slideshows and collections of your pictures and upload th

54This section provides troubleshooting information for your computer. If you cannot solve your problem using the following guidelines, see “Using Sup

55Solving Problems Network ProblemsWireless ConnectionsIf the wireless network connection is lost— The wireless router is offline or wireless has bee

56Solving Problems Power ProblemsIf the power light is off — The computer is either turned off, in hibernate mode, or is not receiving power.•Press t

57Solving Problems If the power light is breathing white — The computer is in standby mode or the display may not be responding.•Press a key on the k

4 Contents Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58Lockups and Software Problems

58Solving Problems Memory Problems If you receive an insufficient memory message —•Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are

59Solving Problems If the computer stops responding or a solid blue screen appears — CAUTION: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an oper

60Solving Problems If you have other software problems — •Back up your files immediately.•Use a virus-scanning program to check the hard drive or CD

61Solving Problems

62Dell Support CenterAll the support you need – one convenient location.The Dell Support Center provides system alerts, performance improvement offers

63Using Support Tools Detailed System Information — View detailed information about your hardware and operating system configurations; access copies o

64Using Support Tools Hardware TroubleshooterIf a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly confi

65Using Support Tools NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop;

66You can restore the operating system on your computer using any of the following options:CAUTION: Using Dell Factory Image Restore or the Operating

67Restoring Your Operating System System RestoreThe Microsoft Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which allow you to return you

5This section provides information about setting up your Dell Inspiron laptop. Before Setting Up Your Computer When positioning your computer, ensure

68Restoring Your Operating System Undoing the Last System RestoreNOTE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exi

69Restoring Your Operating System NOTE: Dell DataSafe Local Backup may not be available in all regions.NOTE: If Dell DataSafe Local Backup is not ava

70Restoring Your Operating System 6. Select Dell DataSafe Restore and Emergency Backup from the System Recovery Options menu and follow the instructi

71Restoring Your Operating System System Recovery MediaCAUTION: Although the system recovery media is designed to preserve the data files on your com

72Restoring Your Operating System Dell Factory Image RestoreCAUTION: Using Dell Factory Image Restore to restore your operating system permanently de

73Restoring Your Operating System 3. Select Repair Your Computer. The System Recovery Options window appears.4. Select a keyboard layout and click N

74If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem:1. See “Solving Proble

75Getting Help NOTE: Some of the services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Call your local Dell representative f

76Getting Help Online ServicesYou can learn about Dell products and services on the following websites:•dell.com•dell.com/ap (Asian/Pacific countrie

77Getting Help Automated Order-Status ServiceTo check on the status of any Dell products thatyou have ordered, you can go to support.dell.com, or yo

6Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Connect the AC Adapter Connect the AC adapter to the computer and then plug it into an electrical outlet or surge pro

78Getting Help Returning Items for Repair Under Warranty or for CreditPrepare all items being returned, whether for repair or credit, as follows:NOTE:

79Getting Help 5. Pack the equipment to be returned in the original (or equivalent) packing materials.NOTE: You are responsible for paying shipping ex

80Getting Help Before You CallNOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell’s automated-support telephone system direc

81Getting Help Remember to fill out the following Diagnostic Checklist. If possible, turn on your computer before you call Dell for assistance and cal

82Getting Help See your operating system documentation to determine the contents of the computer’s start-up files. If the computer is connected to a p

83Getting Help To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues:1. Go to dell.com/ContactDell.2. Select your country or region

84Finding More Information and ResourcesIf you need to: See:reinstall your operating system “System Recovery Media” on page71run a diagnostic progra

85Finding More Information and Resources If you need to: See:find safety best practices information for your computer review Warranty information, Te

86This section provides information that you may need when setting up, updating drivers for, and upgrading your computer. NOTE: Offerings may vary by

87Specifications MemoryPossible memory configurations2 GB, 3 GB, 4 GB, 6 GB, and 8 GBMemory type 1333 MHz SODIMM DDR3NOTE: For instructions on upgradin

7Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop Connect the Network Cable (Optional)To use a wired network connection, connect the network cable.

88Specifications Media Card ReaderCards supportedSecure Digital (SD) memory cardSecure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC)Secure Digital High Capacity (SD

89Specifications VideoDiscrete:Video controllerAMD Radeon HD 6470MNVIDIA GeForce GT 525MVideo memory512 MB/1 GB DDR3UMA:Video controllerIntel HD Graphi

90Specifications Touch PadX/Y position resolution (graphics table mode) 240 cpiSize:Height 56 mm (2.20 inches)Width 100 mm (3.94 inches)Battery6-cell “

91Specifications PhysicalDepth 260.20 mm (10.24 inches)Weight (with 6-cell battery and optical drive)configurable to less than 2.54 kg (5.40 lb)AC Adap

92Specifications Computer EnvironmentTemperature range:Operating 0° to 35°C (32° to 95°F)Storage –40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F)Relative humidity (maxim

93AppendixInformation for NOM, or Official Mexican Standard (Only for Mexico)The following information is provided in the device(s) described in this

94Aairflow, allowing 5Bbackup and recovery 51battery status light 29Ccalling Dell 80CDs, playing and creating 50computer capabilities 50computer

95Index Ffinding more information 84FTP login, anonymous 76GgesturesTouch Pad 36Hhard drive activity light 29hardware problemsdiagnosing 64Hardwa

96Index problems, solving 54productsinformation and purchasing 77Rresources, finding more 84restoring factory image 72SService Taglocating 80setu

97Index Program Compatibility Wizard 59Windows Mobility Center 38wired networknetwork cable, connecting 7wireless networkconnecting 14problems 55