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Dell Precision™ M4300
Quick Reference Guide
Model PP04X
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 online User’s Guide. ® ® If you purchased a Dell™ n Series comp
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Contents Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Left View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 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 Media Drivers for my computer NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. My device documentation Notebook System Sof
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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 your computer. Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support. NOTE: The Microsoft Windows License label has been redesigned with a hole, or "security portal," as an increased sec
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What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints — Dell Support Utility Frequently asked questions, hot topics, and general The Dell Support Utility is an automated upgrade and health of your computing environment notification system installed on your computer. This support provides real-time health scans of your computing environment, software updates, and relevant self-support information. Access the Dell Support Utility from the icon in the taskbar. F
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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 Front View 1 2 3 15 4 14 5 13 12 6 11 7 10 9 8 1 display latch 2 display 3 power button 4 omni-directional microphone 5 device status lights 6 speakers (2) 7 keyboard 8 touch pad 9 fingerprint reader (optional) 10 touch pad/track stick buttons 11 track stick 12 keyboard status lights 13 volume control buttons 14 mute button 15 ambient light sensor Quick Reference Guide 9
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Left View 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 security cable slot 2 air vents 3 IEEE 1394 connector 4 audio connectors 5 ExpressCard slot 6 wireless switch 7 Wi-Fi Catcher™ light 8 PC Card slot 9 smart 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. 2 1 1 media bay 2 USB connector
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Back View 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 network connector (RJ-45) 2 S-video TV-out connector 3 powered USB connector 4 modem connector (RJ-11) 5 serial connector 6 video connector 7 AC adapter connector 8 air vents Bottom 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. 1 2 6 5 3 4 1 battery-b
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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
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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 Settin
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Hibernate Mode Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive and then completely turning off the computer. When the computer exits hibernate mode, it returns to the same operating state it was in before entering hibernate mode. NOTICE: You cannot remove devices or undock your computer while your computer is in hibernate mode. Your computer enters hibernate mode if the battery charge level becomes critically low. To manually enter hibernate mode:
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Charging the Battery NOTE: With Dell™ ExpressCharge™, when the computer is turned off, the AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery to 80 percent in about 1 hour and to 100 percent in approximately 2 hours. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer for 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 com
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To remove the battery: 1 If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions. 2 Ensure that the computer is turned off. 3 Slide the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer until the release clicks. 4 Using the tab on the battery, lift the battery out of the computer. 2 3 1 1 battery tab 2 battery 3 battery-bay latch release To replace the battery, place the battery in the bay and press do
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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 online User’s Guide for details). NOTE: If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions. 1 Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that
