Dell Inspiron 8200 FAQ

Welcome to my FAQ about Dell Inspiron 8200 notebooks.  I created this FAQ to be a repository of information for Inspiron 8200 owners. 

The Inspiron 8200 is similar to the models 8100 and 8000, so some of the information here is also applicable to these models.  The Dell Latitude C840 and Dell Precision M50 Mobile Workstation use the same motherboard as the Inspiron 8200 and are 99% identical to the Inspiron 8200.

I try to keep this information as accurate as possible.  If you find anything in error or you would like me to add something, then send a message to thebithead@mail.com.  If you have any Inspiron 8200 questions that are not answered here, I prefer that you ask them on the DellTalk Inspiron users forum http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/

Note (March 19, 2006): I sold my Inspiron 8200 and I am no longer an Inspiron 8200 owner.  I will leave this website "as-is" and I do not plan to make any future changes.  To help current and future Inspiron 8200 owners and to keep information flowing about the Inspiron 8200, I have created a new Wiki about it.  You can reach the Inspiron 8200 Wiki at: http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/inspiron_8200_wiki/inspiron_8200_wiki.cfm

FAQ Categories:

Fans
Power/Battery
Video
LCD Display
Memory
Network
CD/DVD/CDRW
Audio
Pentium 4-M Processor
Modem
Hard Drive
Module/Fixed Bay
Keyboard/TouchPad
BIOS
Miscellaneous Stuff
Dell Information

Fans

Q: My Fans are making a noise, what can I do?

Shutdown your system.  Pick out any crud or hairs that are stuck in the fan.  Use a compressed air duster with a straw nozzle to blow out any dirt.  If they still make noise after you have cleaned them, and your system is under warranty, then call Dell Support and arrange for service.  If your system is no longer under warranty, then call Dell Spare Parts and order a fan assembly.

Q: What is FanGUI?

FanGUI is a optional utility that monitors CPU temperature and gives you more direct control of the fans on Inspiron 8x00 machines.  You can get more information about FanGUI and download it from http://www.diefer.de/i8kfan/index.html

Q: What is the Dell part number the Inspiron 8200 fan assembly (two fans with leads)?

6F858 - 0.3W (SUNON KDE0503PEB1-8) - $14.95 from Dell Spare Parts.

Power/Battery

Q: What are the battery part numbers?

Dell Inspiron 8200 comes with an 8-cell Lithium-Ion 66whr battery.   The Dell Part numbers are:

4M778
3K120 - Sanyo
1J433 - Sanyo-made battery - You can get this one for $65 at Dell Spare Parts.
8T993 - Sony-made battery
4K085 - Sanyo-made battery
0T728 - Sony
1K500 - 66Whr
 

Dell Inspiron 8100's & 8000's use a 59whr Battery - Dell Part# 77TCJ & 3H625

Note: the 59Whr battery can be used in a i8200, but you will get a bios message that says "WARNING: A battery of less than 4460mAh has been detected. Expect significantly reduced (by at least 30%) battery duration." every time you reboot your notebook.

Q: What A/C Adapter does the Inspiron 8200 need?

Model PA-9, Output 20VDC @ 4.5Amps (90 watts), Dell Part # 6G356 or 3K360
 

Q: Can the Inspiron 8200 use the older type PA-6 A/C Adapter?

Yes, but the PA-6 adapter won't be able to supply the power needed to run the system at full speed.  When you attempt to use the PA-6 adapter, you might see this message:

WARNING: 70 Watt (20V,3.5A) AC adapter detected. System will not be capable of running in full performance mode without a 90 Watt (20v,4.5A) AC adapter.

The Inspiron 8200 needs 90W of power to run at full speed, the PA-6 adapter can only provide 70W of power.  If you use the PA-6 adapter, the Inspiron 8200 will run a reduced power mode, similar to when you run on battery power. 

Note: you can NOT use the PA-6 Adapter with a Advanced Port Replicator (APR) when the 8200 is connected (BIOS revs A05 or less, BIOS rev A06 allows the 8200 to use a PA-6 with an APR). 

Q: Does DELL have a 90 Watt Auto/Air Adapter?

No. Dell only has a 70 Watt Auto/Air Adapter, which will run your Inspiron 8200 in power saving mode.

Q: Does anyone make a 90 Watt Auto/Air Adapter?

Yes.  Lind Electronics makes a 90 Watt power adapter for the Inspiron 8200 which you can use in your car or in a airplane.  Here is more information about it:

http://www.lindelectronics.com/cgi-bin/Store7/PerlShop.cgi/!ORDERID!/aaa/DE2045-628/dbx_gen_detail_product

Q: How long can I run on one battery?

When the battery is new, you should be able to get about 2.7 hours of usage (depending on the electrical and processing load of your system) for a P4 1.7-1.8Ghz,  about 2.5 hours of usage for the P4 2.0Ghz.  Expect to see  diminished battery performance as your battery gets older.

Q: What is the life span of a Li-Ion battery?

Well maintained batteries should last about 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles, if you follow these guidelines:

• Charge the Li-ion often, except before a long storage. Avoid repeated deep discharges.
• Keep the Li-ion battery cool. Prevent storage in a hot car. Never freeze the battery.
• If you mostly keep your laptop at a fixed location where there is A/C power, you can run your system on A/C power only by removing the battery and storing it in a cool place.
• Avoid purchasing spare Li-ion batteries to store for later use. Observe manufacturing date when purchasing. Do not buy old stock, even if sold at clearance prices.

The batteries cycle lifetime is based on the depth of discharge. Shallow discharges provide more cycles than deep discharges. If the battery is stored fully charged and at elevated temperatures, this battery chemistry deteriorates to a 50 percent performance level in about one year. 

Dell warranties their batteries for one year.

Q: What is the best way to store my battery when I am not using it?

Li-Ion batteries are best stored in a cool place 15'C (59'F) or less, at a 40 percent charge.  A battery in storage will loose about 1-3% of it's charge per month.

For more info, see:

http://www.buchmann.ca/Chap10-page6.asp 
http://www.buchmann.ca/Chap15-page2.asp

Q: I have a second Inspiron 8200 battery, can I use both batteries at the same time?

Yes.  If you have two batteries you can use both at the same time.  One in the front/right hand battery bay, and the other can go into the front/left hand module bay (by removing what ever you have installed in the module bay). 

If you know that you will need to run on battery power for an hour or so, it is better to use both batteries at the same time because deep cycling an Li-Ion battery has a negative impact on the longevity of the battery.  It is better to discharge two batteries down to 50% power instead of running one battery down to 0% power.  Another solution is to discharge one battery down to 50% and then hibernate and switch to your second battery.

Q: The LEDs on my battery are flashing when I push the test button on the battery.  Is something wrong?

In general, flashing battery indicators typically denotes a problem with the battery, or the battery is too hot.

Q: If Li-Ion batteries have a shelf life of 2-3 years, where I can find the date of manufacturing on my battery?

If you have FanGUI installed on your system, you can use it find out the manufacturing date of your battery.  Bring up the FanGUI control window and click on "Show Sysinfo".

Q: My PA-9 A/C adapter is too hot to handle.  Is something wrong with it?

Yes!  Your A/C adapter can get quite hot under heavy electrical load, but should never get so hot that it is too hot to handle with your bare hands.  A few Inspiron 8200 owner have run into this problem and Dell has replaced their A/C adapters.  If you have this problem, call Dell support to get your A/C adapter replaced.

Q: I am having trouble with standby when Quicken 2000 is installed.  Is there a way to fix it?

Yes!  http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1060334

Video

Q: What are the part numbers of Inspiron 8200 video cards?

Q: How can I enable the overclocking options in the GeForce Video Cards? (Note: Overclocking can damage your hardware if it is not done properly.)

Use the registry editor.  Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global.  Make a new key under the global key named NVTweak. (unless it is already there).  Beneath the NVTweak key, make a DWORD value in the NVTweak key and name it Coolbits.  Set the value of Coolbits to 3.  When you reboot, a new hardware options tab will appear in the GeForce advanced menu where you will find two slider bars for overclocking.
 

Q: How can I enable the PowerMizer (power saving) options in the GeForce Video Cards?

Use the registry editor.  Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global.  Make a new key under the global key named NVTweak. (unless it is already there).  Beneath the NVTweak key, make a DWORD value in the NVTweak key and name it PowerMizer.  Set the value of PowerMizer to 1.  If there is a DWORD value named NoPages, then you should rename it to something else (suggested rename to _NoPages so that you can restore the original values if you want).  When you reboot, a new hardware options tab will appear in the GeForce advanced menu.  
 

Q: Where can I get other video drivers (non-dell) for my GeForce4 440 GO video card?

Frankndriver - http://www.cybercookie.net/download.htm (works with Win9x, WinME, Win2K, WinXP)
D-Force drivers - http://www.envynews.com/d-force/
Guru3D.COM - http://www.guru3d.com/files/
LaptopVideo2Go.com has links to hacked .inf files which will let you install any production (and many beta) nVidia drivers

Q: Where can I see pictures of the GeForce4 440 Go graphics card & chip?

http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/S&V/mgnvgf4440go_p4m.shtml

Q: Where can I get more information about the GeForce4 440 Go video card?

From the NVidia website: http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=geforce4go

Q: I am a graphics nut.  I would like to tweak my GeForce card.  Is there a utility to do it?

Yes.  http://www.guru3d.com/rivatuner/

LCD Display

Q: How do I clean my LCD display?

http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1011125

Q: How can I prevent ghost keys from appearing on my display screen?

There is a minor problem with some Inspiron 8x00 systems.  When the screen is shut, if there is any pressure on the lid, you may see faint marks from the keyboard on the surface of your display screen.  These marks are most likely oil residue from your fingers.  It is mostly noticeable when the screen is turned off.  For more info:

http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1046229

Also, some users have complained about the pointer stick leaving marks on the screen.  You can remove the tip off the pointer stick (if you don't use it) or you can sand off the rough surface on the top of the stick.

One way to solve the problem is to put a protector between the keyboard and your screen when traveling.  Here are some links to a few protectors:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=3814&Item=OWCLSPTIG4
http://www.jrhillandcompany.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=200&1=201&2=-1

Q: Where can I find a copy of the Dell Inspiron 8200 Wallpaper?

http://www.geocities.com/thebithead/INSP-8X6.BMP

Also, here are some additional Dell Wallpapers:

http://www.eaglecomputing.com/wallpaper.htm

Q: My LCD back light tube is burnt out and I want to replace it myself.  Where can I get one and how do I replace it:

You can get a CCFL tube from http://www.jkllamps.com/

Here are some instructions on how to replace a CCFL tube. -- http://home.comcast.net/~stonent/screenfix.htm

Q: How can I tell which LCD display I have?

The Inspiron 8200 has three possible LCD displays: SXGA+, UXGA, or UltraSharp UXGA.  You should be able to find it on your system invoice.  The UltraSharp will be listed as a "ASV UXGA" or "US UXGA". The Premier Support site (if you are in the US) will list also list the components in your system  -- http://premiersupport.dell.com/

Q: Is there some information that compares the three LCD displays?

Yes!  see this Dell whitepaper on the topic -- http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/vectors/2002-lcd.pdf

Q: What are the numbers for Inspiron 8200 displays?

Sharp 15" Enhanced UXGA LCD -  Dell Part# 9P031 - $599 (Dell Spare Parts)

The bezel for 15" UXGA is only $4.95 and that Dell part # is: 26RRE

Memory

Q: What kind of memory does the Inspiron 8200 use?

200-pin SODIMM, DDR PC2100 SDRAM, CL=2.5, Non-Parity.

Q: What is the best third party source for Inspiron 8200 memory?

http://www.crucial.com - Well respected, good prices, lifetime wwarranty.

Q: Can I put 2 GB of RAM in my I8200?

The Dell documentation says that the I8200 can only have a maximum of 1 GB of RAM.  However, some I8200 owners have put 1 GB Modules in their systems for a maximum of 2 GB of memory.  You can order them from Dell here.  Or from Crucial here.  In September, got two "KINGMAX 200-Pin 1GB DDR SODIMM PC-2100, Model MSDD42D-KI" modules from NewEgg.com and have been running fine ever since.   I paid $193 for each module.

Network

Q: What make and model is the internal network card?

3Com 3C920 (3C905C-TX Compatible)

Q: Where can I get more information about general networking, setting up home networks, network hardware, and wireless networks?

http://www.homenethelp.com
http://www.practicallynetworked.com
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com

Q: What is the part number for the Dell TrueMobile 1150 Series Mini PCI Wireless 802.11B card?

Manufacturer Part# 11VMD, Dell Part# 430-3572  -- This card is made by Agere Systems.  The card is identical to their ORiNOCO PCMCIA Gold Card.

Note to i8100 & i8000 owners.  To use this card you also need a 2" antenna patch cable (part # 37THY).  Check to make sure your 1150 TrueMobile card has this cable, of not then order one.  The i8200 has a built-in antenna cable so i8200 owners don't need the antenna patch cable.

Q: Can I use the DLink 520+ (802.11b) PCI card in my i8200?

Yes!  DLink makes an inexpensive Wi-Fi wireless networking card for desktop machines (about $50).  It is the DLink 520+.  Several Inspiron owners reports that it contains a Mini-PCI card inside.  You can get at it by removing two screws and the cover.

Q: Can I use the Linksys WMP54G (802.11g) PCI card in my i8200?

Yes!  Linksys makes an 802.11g (which is 802.11b compatible) wireless networking card for desktop machines.  It is the Linksys WMP54G PCI card.  One Inspiron owner reports that it contains a Mini-PCI card inside.  You can get at it by removing the metal casing.  But you need to use a soldering iron to get the antenna connected.

Q: Are there updates for Dell TrueMobile 1150?

Yes. (from Don Meek on DellTalk):

There's a new v8.72 firmware release from Orinoco available at http://www.orinocowireless.com/  (under support: Client Software - ORiNOCO Rel 7.6 for MS Windows - Spring 2002 release or Firmware Update for ORiNOCO Clients Rel 8.72 - Spring 2002 release) 

If you read the enclosed readme file (http://www.proxim.com/support/all/orinoco/software/pdf/sr02_firmware_readme.txt) , this release corrects a large number of performance issues identified by ORiNOCO, but of course never updated by Dell Support (as well as a history of *six* other major firmware updates released from ORiNOCO since Dell released R36935 which was their last 1150 firmware update to version 6.16)...

Since no one has provided a link to a modified version for the TrueMobile 1150 card yet, I've uploaded a version which will update the miniPCI version employed in Dell laptops to http://home.earthlink.net/~donaldmeek/WSU-DELL872.EXE  Running the application will update your firmware to the latest version offered by ORiNOCO and hopefully address a number of identified issues that most users have been facing with reliability problems, dropped connections, etc.  I've been using it on my Inspiron 8200 for the past month without problems...

Q: Can my Inspiron 8200 use the Dell TrueMobile 1300 Mini-PCI card?

Yes!  The TrueMobile 1300 does both 802.11b and 802.11g (54 mpbs).  Several 8200 owners report that the TrueMobile 1300 works well in their 8200's.

CD/DVD/CDRW

Q: What are the make & model numbers of CD, DVD, CDRW, and Combo drives that come in the Inspiron 8200?

The following is NOT a complete list:

• Toshiba SD-R2102 8x Combo DVD/CDRW
• Sony CRX-810E 16x Combo DVD/CDRW -- 6xR/10xRW/8xDVD-ROM
• HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8080N, LG Electronics, supports 8x Writing and 24x Reading.
• HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4240N Combo -- 24xCD/24xCD-R/10xCD-RW/8xDVD
• DVD-ROM 8080B drive, LG Electronics
• Samsung SN-308B 8x/4x/24x/8x CDRW/DVD combo drive
• Samsung CDRW/DVD SN-324B
• TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-C2502

Q: DVD drive stutters when playing a movie.  What can I do to fix that?

If you have the Hitachi DK23DA-20F, DK23DA-30F, or DK23DA-40F.  Dell has a firmware update for you.

http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R43169

Q: My DVD drive still stutters or has choppy playback when using the WinDVD player.  Is there anything that can do to fix that?

Perhaps, Try the patches mentioned in this Dell support document:

http://premiersupport.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?nav=Knowledge_Base&DN=TT1064445

Also make sure that you have your DVD drive set to DMA mode not PIO mode.

A DVD drive can also stutter if is has a hardware defect.

Audio

Q: I hear a POP sound when my computer turns off/on.  Is this ok?

Yes!  The POP noise is coming from speakers.  It occurs when the internal audio amplifier turns off/on.

Q: I hear a series of six, high-pitched beeps that are regularly spaced, about every three to four seconds. The beeps can be heard both through the speakers and on headphones. They occur at all volume levels.  What is the cause of this?

A number of Inspiron 8200 owners have reported that this can happen when you enable your Infrared device.

Q: What is the difference between the Dell provided Crystal Audio drivers and Intel's audio drivers?

The Crystal audio drivers that come with the Inspiron 8200 (besides causing a cricket noise with the infrared device) have some limitations built into them.  Here are the differences between the Intel drivers and the Crystal drivers:

Playback

Recording

Windows XP installs the Intel drivers by default.

Crystal WDM Audio Codec
cwawdm.sys
Ver. 6.13.10.4155

Intel 82801CA/CAM AC97 Audio Controller
Ver. 5.1.2535.0 dtd 7/1/2001
ac97intc.sys
File version 5.10.3523

Q: Why does the Inspiron 8200 Crystal Audio driver reset the Direct-X hardware acceleration to basic after a reboot?   I put it at max it drops back down to basic automatically after the reboot?

Some versions of the Crystal Audio drivers don't seem to support the hardware acceleration.  The Intel Audio drivers do support hardware acceleration.  If you want to switch to the Intel Audio Drivers, you can "update your current drivers" and click "Select from a list" to get at the Intel drivers.

Note: The Crystal drivers version 6.13.10.4159 that are available on the Dell support site preserve the Hardware Acceleration settings.

Q: Can I use some professional audio tools with the integrated audio on my i8200?

Sort of.  The integrated audio chip of the i8200, the Crystal Audio chip (driver's name is Crystal WDM) is NOT designed for usage in any of these applications. (thanks to d-force for providing this information)

Cubase VST/32 5.1
This application can, with a few tricks, easily run on the Crystal WDM chip.
First, let it autoconfigure itself, then open the application, go to the Options menu, point to Audio Setup and then click on System.

A nice dialog comes up. In that dialog there is a panel called Audio I/O. In that panel, there is a combobox called "ASIO Device". By default, it is selected to ASIO DirectX Driver. What you got to do is change it to ASIO DirectX Full Duplex driver.
Click OK to all questions. Then point to the combobox called "Sample Rate" in the same panel and select 44.100 kHz.

Then you're ready to go with Cubase VST.

Cakewalk SonarXL
Unfortunately, this program does not support MIDI with the Crystal WDM driver - maybe because the MIDI driver is just a softsynth builtin in Windows XP.

It's pretty easy to configure this - it autoconfigures.

FruityLoops 3.4
This program is not exactly professional but to get it working perfectly with the Crystal WDM driver, a few necessary steps is needed.

Start the program up. An "Environment" dialog shows op with a few tabs. Point to the tab called "Wave." There is a panel called output in the Wave dialog. The combobox in the Wave panel's content is by default "(DS) Primary Audio Device" - set it to "(DS) Crystal WDM Audio".

In the panel called DirectSound Streaming Buffer, drag the slider till the buffer length is 7578 samples (171 ms). This does not provide fantastic latency but helps keep off stutter.

 

Pentium 4-M Processor

Q: Where can I get information about the Intel Pentium 4-M processor?

http://www.intel.com/products/notebook/processors/pentium4-m/index.htm?iid=ipp_note_proc+prod_p4p_m&

Q: How can I determine what Intel Processor is in my machine?

Use the Intel Frequency ID utility:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/tools/frequencyid/freqid.htm

Q: Why is my system showing the processor clock speed as less than the maximum speed?

This is normal.  The Mobile Pentium 4 CPU has the ability to change its internal clock frequency and voltage.  The CPU will change to the highest clock frequency (Maximum Performance Mode) when the CPU work load becomes significant. It will drop to the lower clock frequency (Battery Optimized Mode) when the CPU work load becomes insignificant. Intel call this "SpeedStep". 

Another benefit to SpeedStep is that your system runs cooler because the CPU generates less heat at the lower clock frequency.

Windows XP has built-in support for Intel's SpeedStep technology.  You don't need to do anything to make it happen -- it is all automatic.

There is NO performance benefit to be gained by disabling Intel SpeedStep and forcing your system to run constantly at the highest clock frequency.

If you still want to override the default SpeedStep behavior in Windows XP, you can get the SpeedswitchXP utility.

BayWolf is working on a SpeedStep FAQ.

Q: What chipset is in the Inspiron 8200?

Intel® 845MP AGPSet Chipset

Q: What is the maximum operating internal temperature of the Pentium 4-M processor?

The maximum specified temperature junction is 100 degrees C. 

Note: You should not run your system at or near the maximum specified temperature.  You should have a safety margin in case there are any future problems with the cooling components of your system.  You should be fine if your system is below 80'C.  Also, the P4-M has a thermal safety circuit that will automatically lower the clock frequency if the processor core temperature exceeds the maximum.

Q: I don't care about battery performance and I was to force my system to ALWAYS run at the highest clock frequency, but I can't seem to force it.  What might be wrong with SpeedStep?

By default, Dell ships portable systems installed with XP in adaptive processor mode. In order to force the system to maximum performance while running on battery the user is required to set the power scheme to 'Always on'.   If this is changed while running in low performance mode for the first time, the system may store the processor speed incorrectly at the lower setting (1.2GHz) 

A fix for this can be performed by editing the systems registry.

NOTICE: The following procedure contains information about editing the Windows registry. Dell does not guarantee success or support these actions.  Any use of the information provided herein, is performed at your own risk. You should make a backup copy of the registry files prior to executing any of the following steps. Incorrect use of the registry editor and editing the registry files can cause serious problems that may require a complete reinstall of your operating system. Dell assumes no responsibility, expressed or implied, regarding the consequences of any action taken as a result of the information provided herein.

The following key needs to be checked for the entries in red below in the system registry:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\PowerCfg\PowerPolicies\3]
"Name"="Always on"
"Description"="This scheme keeps the computer running so that it can be accessed from the network.  Use this scheme if you do not have network wakeup hardware."
"Policies"=hex:01,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,32,32,00,00,04,00,00,00,04,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b0,04,00,00,84,03,00,00,00,00,00,00,08,07,00,\
00,00,01,64,64,64,64,00,00

Q: I have my system power scheme set to "Always On", but the processor still drops to the lower clock frequency when running on batteries.

Some have reported a problem with processor speed being throttled back as the battery is depleted.  This is normal procedure.  As the battery is depleted the system is designed to throttle back the processor to save battery life.  This is operating as designed and no changes are planned for this functionality.

If you see that removing the AC adapter causes the processor to throttle back, even when using the "Always On" power scheme, then you should know that some events will cause the processor to throttle back.  Removing the AC adapter is such an event.  When the AC adapter is removed, the processor will throttle back.  If the power scheme is set to "Always On" then the processor should return to full processor speed.  It may take up to 20 seconds for the processor to return to full speed.  This is normal operation for the processor, and will not be changed.

Q: My i8200 seems to run slow.  How can I tell if my system is running slower that it should?

There are many reasons why a system may run slow.  It could be cause by a bad configuration or network change.  To test your system speed, you can goto www.madonion.com, download the PCMark2002 benchmark software, and run a benchmark test on your system.  Below are some typical PCMark2002 scores:

Q: What is the fastest processor that I can put in my Inspiron 8200?

You can upgrade with all of the Mobile Pentium 4-M processors up to the 2.6 GHz speed.

Modem

Q: What modems does the Inspiron 8200 use?

The Inspiron 8200 uses one of two possible modems:

Actiontec MD560RD V92 MDC Modem (Conexant HFS "soft56" chipset -- I don't know the chipset number)
(Note: the Inspiron 2600 & 4100 also uses this modem)

Users Guide: http://support.ap.dell.com/docs/comm/p25165/en/index.htm
Dell's Win2k Drivers: http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=r36441
Conexant WinXP Info: http://www.conexant.com/customer/md_winxpinfo.html
Dell's WinXP Drivers: http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=r36442
Conexant Generic Drivers: http://www.conexant.com/customer/md_driverassistance.html

 

PCTEL 2304WT V.92MDC

(I don't have any information about this modem.  If you do then send it to me)

Q: Where can I get more info about the Actiontec MD560RD V92 MDC Modem?

http://www.vee90.net/news_2001_christmaslist.html
http://808hi.com/56k/soft56.asp

Q: When using the built-in Inspiron 8200 modem, when I disconnect from my ISP it makes my system freeze or crash.  What can I do?

A number of Dell Inspiron 8200 owners have run into this problem. 

One possible workaround is to un-plug your telephone cord from the modem. 

Another possible workaround is set your modem to V90 mode, which you can do by Start->Settings->Control Panel->Phone and Modem options->Modem Tab->Properties pushbutton->Advanced Tab and in the Extra Settings text box, type +MS=v90,0 or AT+MS=v90, then reboot.

Q: When I try to use my modem I get a "Hardware failure in port or attached device" or "Port Already Open" error message.  I also have Quicken 2000 installed on my machine.  Is there a way to fix it?

Yes! http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1060334

Q: I have the Actiontec MD560RD MDC modem and I would like to disable V.92 and use a different modulation.  How can I do this?

Looking at the Actiontec MD56ORD driver and checked the commands in the “DEL2486Y.INF” file. The parts of the modulation responses from this file are:

"<cr><lf>+MCR: V92<cr><lf>"
"<cr><lf>+MCR: V90<cr><lf>"
"<cr><lf>+MCR: K56<cr><lf>"
"<cr><lf>+MCR: V34<cr><lf>"

To specify and force V.90, see if adding this init string to the “Extra Settings” box will be recognized by returning a “OK”, by checking your “Modem log” or use “HyperTerminal” (just to test if the init string works) to enter the commands.  AT+MCR: V90 (space between the colon and V) or +MCR: V90  The AT is supposed to be automatically added by default.

To specify K56Flex: AT+MCR: K56

To specify V.34 modulation: AT+MCR: V34

If it’s not recognized, just remove the init string from the “Extra Settings” box.

The descriptions below are from Modemsite.com. More on V.92 commands ”here” and ”here”.

PCM Upstream - The command +PIG=# will control PCM upstream. The values are 0 to enable PCM upstream, and 1 to disable it. Note: I have been told that there will be no method of speed limiting the PCM upstream with V.92: it's either on or off; if the PCM upstream causes a reduction in downstream rate, there will be no way of 'tuning' it by setting limits on the up and downstream rates.

The command +PMH=# enables or disables modem on hold. Both client and server modems need #=0 to allow modem on hold during a V.92 connection. (#=1 disables modem on hold.)

Quick Connect - The command +PQC=# controls Quick Connect. The values are - 0 to enable Quick Connect (short phase 1 and phase 2 enabled); 1 - enable short phase 1 only; 2 - enable short phase 2 only; 3 - disable short phase 1 and phase 2.

To disable the V.92 features above and string the commands together while adding it to the “Extra Settings”, use a semi-colon.
+PIG=1;+PMH=1;+PQC=3

If your ISP isn’t V.92 capable, you can also try:
AT+MS=V90,0;+PIG=1;+PMH=1;+PQC=3

Or if the commands from the .INF file were successful:
AT+MCR: V90;+PIG=1;+PMH=1;+PQC=3

Also, there were reports that some scanner software may have conflicts with the Conexant modem. If you have a scanner and “STIMON.EXE” is loading from the “Start-Up folder”, see if “End Task-ing” on it (to close this program from running in the background) from the “Task Manager” (Ctrl-Alt-Del) will make a difference.

Q: What about Linux drivers for my modem?

Here are some links that may help you:

http://support.ap.dell.com/ap/en/filelib/download/download.asp?fileid=R47114&devid=&format=55543&sid=&os=Windows_NT
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/t/x/txn131/linux/i5100/node19.html
http://www.nmr.ethz.ch/~asve/linux/
http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/pctel-linux/
http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/

Hard Drives

Q: What is the part number for the primary hard drive carrier?

The Inspiron 8200 Primary Hard Drive carrier is the same as Inspiron 8x00 carriers.  It can hold both 9.5mm and 12.5mm drives. The part numbers are:

Inspiron 8x00 Internal Primary Hard Drive carrier (new, costs about $10):

• Carrier, Dell Part 48CVX - carrier, $4.95 each, (qty:1)
• Screws, M3x5, KSH, MS, BLO, Dell Part 6350E, $0.05 each (qty: 1)
• Screws, M3x2.5, PHH, LP, ZPS, BLK, Dell Part 97580, $0.05 each (qty: 4) screws to attach drive to carrier.
• Conn, Hdr (Hard Drive Pin Adapter), 2x22, Dell Part 8267R, $4.95 (qty: 1)
• It can hold both 9.5mm and 12.5mm drives

Q: Where is a good place to buy notebook hard drives?

http://www.zipzoomfly.com

Q: Which hard drive should I buy?

http://www20.tomshardware.com/mobile/20031031/index.html

Q: Can I see a quick comparison of some internal notebook hard drives?

Note to Inspiron 8200 owners:  If you have any WinXP PCMark2002 hard drive scores, then send them to me (with the published PCMark2002 link) so that I can add them to this table.  Also, if you have a hard drive that is not listed, then send that info to me as well.  The '*' next to the HDD score denotes a score where the Intel Application Accelerator was used instead of a stock WinXP setup.

Q: On Windows XP, how do I perform a file system check?

To do a file system check:

Start->Settings->Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Computer Management->Disk Management. Then right click on the icon that represents your file system and then click properties->Tools->Error Checking->Check Now..., then check off "scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors".

You can also check your hard drive for errors with your Dell Diagnostics.

Q: Where I can get the HGST (formerly IBM) Hard Drive tools?

HGST has a nice set of tools and utilities that work with their hard drives (IBM Travelstars & Hitachi).  You can find them here:

http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

Note: Hitachi recently acquired the hard drive business from IBM, the new website for both Hitachi and IBM HDD is now http://www.hgst.com/, as usual tools for both Hitachi and IBM drives are available, including a previously unheard of Hitachi 2.5" drive testing program.

Q: What are the steps to reformat my hard drive?

Warning: Reformatting erases your file system, so make sure you don't need anything on that file system or that you have an adequate backup of the files that you need.

Step 1: Insert the WinXP Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive.

Step 2: Turn off the computer, and then turn the computer on again. If the computer boots to the CD, skip to step 4.

NOTE: When the Press any key to boot from CD message appears, quickly press any key.

NOTE: Some Dell computers allow you to boot to the CD by pressing while the computer is booting. Select IDE CD-ROM device when the Boot Device Options menu appears. The Inspiron allows you to hit F12 at this point.

If the computer does not boot to the CD, continue to step 3.

Step 3: Enter system setup and make sure that the boot sequence is set to boot first from the CD device. Restart your computer.

Step 4: When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press to select To set up Windows now.

Step 5: Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then press on your keyboard to agree with the license information.

Step 6: Proceed as you wanted to install a new copy of Windows XP and, press to select the fresh copy option. On the next screen when the setup program asks what partition to install on, choose to delete the partitions. Then setup whatever partitions that you want and let the install program format them. You will have to decide if you want to format the drive as FAT32 or NTFS. (I purposely did not mention FAT16).

Q: My Hitachi hard drive makes my DVD drive stutter.  What can I do to fix that?

If you have the Hitachi DK23DA-20F, DK23DA-30F, or DK23DA-40F.  Dell has a firmware update for you.

http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R43169

 

Q: I would like to make my hard drive faster.  Is there anything I can do to speed it up?

Yes!

Defragment your file system on a periodic basis (every 1-2 months would be fine for most people) or anytime you make significant file changes on your hard drive.  Defragmenting rearranges the data on your hard drive to make it more efficient.

Another option is to consider buying a faster hard drive.

Module/Fixed Bay

Q: Can you give me information about module bay part numbers?

Inspiron 8x00 Module Bay 2nd Hard Drive for 12.5mm drives:

• Dell Part: 4169D carrier with cable & connector (qty: 1)
• Dell Part: 53965 screws (qty: 4)
• Note: You could mount a 9.5mm drive in this carrier if you come up with something to take up the extra 3mm gaps on the four corners.

Inspiron 8x00 Module Bay 2nd Hard Drive Module for 9.5mm drives:

• Dell Part: 29MFN carrier with cable & connector (qty: 1)
• Dell Part: 53965 screws (qty: 4)

Empty Module Bay covers:

• Part Number: 0849D  Description: FILLER,PLSTC,AIRBAY (costs about $5)
   

Q: Is it true that the Inspiron 8200 can use module bay devices from other Dell Notebooks?

Yes.  The following Dell notebooks all have the same module bay:

Latitude CP
Latitude CPi
Latitude CPi A
Latitude CPi R
Latitude CPt C
Latitude CPx H
Latitude CPx J
Latitude CSx H
Latitude CSx R
Latitude C500
Latitude C510
Latitude C600
Latitude C610
Latitude C640
Latitude C800
Latitude C810
Latitude C840
LS
L400
Precision M40
Precision M50
Inspiron 2500
Inspiron 3700
Inspiron 3800
Inspiron 4000
Inspiron 4100
Inspiron 4150
Inspiron 8000
Inspiron 8100
Inspiron 8200
OptiPlex SX260

Q: Is it true that the fixed bay (left rear) devices from Inspiron 8x00 and 2500 systems will also work in my Inspiron 8200?

Yes.

Keyboard/Touch Pad

Q: What is the part number for the i8200 keyboard?

3J247

Q: What does the 'Fn' key do?  The blue one on the bottom/left of your keyboard.

The 'Fn' is the Function Key.  You use it in combination with other keys:

Fn + End  (Mutes Speakers)
Fn + Page Up  (Raises the sound volume)
Fn + Page Down (Lowers the sound volume)
Fn + Esc  (Puts computer in suspend mode)
Fn + F1  (System Setup *)
Fn + F3 (Battery Status *)
Fn + F5 (Displays list of Fn keys *)
Fn + F7 (Alters screen size *)
Fn + F8  (Toggle Display)
Fn + F10  (Ejects the drive bay)
Fn + Down Arrow (dims the LCD backlight)
Fn + Up Arrow (brightens the LCD backlight)
Fn + h (HDD spin down *)
Fn + a  (save to disk *)
Fn + d  (blank display *)

* denotes functionality that can only be invoked prior to loading an ACPI capable operating system

 

Q: The buttons to the right of the power button don't do anything.  What's wrong?

You need to install the Dell Access Direct application to control the function of these buttons.  You can download the Dell Access Direct application from the Dell support website.

BIOS

Q: I have lost/forgotten/don’t-know my computer’s BIOS password, what can I do?

You need to contact Dell via telephone and prove that you are the proper owner of your system.  Once you have done that they will be able to help you work around the unknown password.  If you bought your notebook second hand, you need to have the previous owner contact Dell and have them transfer ownership to you.  Only the current owner on record at Dell can request a BIOS password change.

Q: When should I upgrade my computer’s BIOS?

Typically you would only need to upgrade your system’s BIOS when you make a significant change to your system (i.e. change motherboards etc.), or when a new BIOS revision adds increased functionality to your system. Note: Upgrading your BIOS unnecessarily or needlessly adds the possibility of a problem arising. It is best to perform a BIOS upgrade from a floppy drive.

Q: I want to change my BIOS to version which is older than my current BIOS.  How do I do it?

1. Download the floppy version and make the floppy by running the .exe you downloaded.
2. Make sure the battery is charged and the AC is plugged in and boot to the floppy.
3. When it quickly reports it is done, it did nothing but decide the version you had was newer and did nothing.
4. At the DOS prompt, type DIR and hit enter and note the name of the .exe file (like I8200A04.EXE).
5. Now type the .exe name and add the /nvram switch to keep the blue Dell boot splash screen (example: I8200A04.EXE /nvram and then ENTER).
   
    

Miscellaneous Stuff

Q: Is is ok to run my notebook on a soft surface like my lap or a bed?

Your notebook is designed operate on a hard, flat surface.  The rubber feet beneath your notebook maintains a small air gap between the bottom of the system, and the surface it sits on.  This air gap is needed to allow the bottom of your notebook to dissipate heat away from its internal components.  Operating your notebook on a soft surface means the bottom of your notebook is in direct contact with that soft surface and has no air gap.  This means your computer will run hotter than normal and may overheat, causing permanent damage to your notebook.  If you want to operate your notebook computer on your lap, you should get a "lap desk".  Here are a few links:

http://www.lapdesk.com/index.asp
http://www.lapworksinc.com/
http://www.lapgenie.com/

Q: How to I run the Dell Diagnostics on my hardware?

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/ins8200/diag.htm#1084976

To create a bootable CD of the latest Dell Diagnostics, download:

http://images.lunarpages.com/uxga/dos/delldiag.zip

Q: How do I re-install Windows XP?

You can re-install Windows XP, however you will also need to re-install all of your applications as well.  Make a backup copy of anything you might need, then follow the instructions on page 74 of your Inspiron 8200 Owners Manual. http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/ins8200/windows.htm#1084976  and read this as well.

Q: Can I use a Inspiron 8100 port replicator (docking station) with a Inspiron 8200?

Yes.  The Dell Advanced Port Replicator (APR) is the same for both the Inspiron 8100 & Inspiron 8200.  But you need to use a PA-9 A/C power adapter when using the APR with the Inspiron 8200 (it may be possible to use a PA-6 A/C adapter if you can live with the restrictions mentioned in the power section above).

Q: What are the links to the Dell Inspiron Documentation?

8200 Users Guide - http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/ins8200/
Advanced Port Replicator - http://premiersupport.dell.com/docs/systems/ins8200/8498t4.pdf
 

Q: How do I link my Infared port to a COM port in Win2K/WinXP?

http://www.gsm.org.uk/gsm.html

Q: Does the Dell Latitude C840 have the same motherboard as the Inspiron 8200?

Yes!  - in fact, it is possible to flash the Latitude C840 Bios on a Inspiron 8200 notebook.  Some people have does this so that they can use the Latitude's Port Replicator with their Inspiron 8200 notebook.  One Inspiron 8200 owner reports doing this with the "/forceit /forcetype" command line switches.  Example:

Q: Does the Dell Precision M50 notebook use the same motherboard as the i8200?

Yes! -- Both notebooks have the same motherboard and you can flash a M50 BIOS on a i8200 notebook.

Q: Is it possible to use my Inspiron 8200 with a Latitude C/Port or C/Dock port replicator?

Yes, if you are willing to convert your 8200 into thinking it is a Latitude C840 (see previous question).  The Latitude C-Dock II gives you 2 PCI slots, and an extra media bay, allowing you to use floppy and Media bay devices (CD-RW, DVD, 2nd HD) at the same time.

Here's a link to some instructions about how to do it:

http://home.comcast.net/~stonent/itol.htm

Note: The Latitude C840 BIOS can be flashed on a Inspiron 8200, but you will loose all of the Inspiron specific features of your system and it would effectively become a Latitude C840. Before doing thing, you should consider if you depend on any Inspiron BIOS 8200 features and make sure that the Latitude BIOS has good support for your hardware. The only way to know for sure is to test it with your hardware.  You should also consider the impact on your system warranty.  Dell does not approve or support flashing non-Inspiron BIOS on a i8200. A few Inspiron 8200 owners have reported that they are successfully using the C/Dock II  port replicator.

Q: Are there other sites with Inspiron 8200 information?

Yes.

http://home.comcast.net/~stonent/
http://www.bay-wolf.com/mainfaq.htm

Q: Does the Inspiron 8200 support USB 2.0?

No.  The built in USB ports do not support USB 2.0.  If you need USB 2.0, you can get a PCMCIA card that supports it.  Here is one that is reported to work fine:

http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/subpages/cbu2.html

Q: Are there any Inspiron 8200 reviews?

Yes

http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.html?i=1733
http://www.zdnet.com/supercenter/stories/overview/0,12069,561831,00.html
http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/S&V/mgnvgf4440go_p4m.shtml
http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-1027-405-20067579.html?tag=dir-rev
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,6745,00.asp
http://home.earthlink.net/~electrosoft/i8200.htm
 

Q: Someone is offering a good price on a used Inspiron 8200 and I would like to buy it.  Is there anything I should do before buying a used system?

Yes,  You should make sure that you are buying from the original owner and the notebook is not stolen.  Here's some ideas of things you can do to check on the system:

• Get the service tag off the system.  It is printed on the bottom of the system.
• Check the service tag on Dell's website to confirm the system configuration.  Check to see if everything is original or not.
• Get the customer number (it is on the system invoice) so that you can check the service records on the Dell website.
• Tell the seller that you won't buy the system unless they give you all passwords. (startup, admin, hard drive, Windows, etc)
• Tell the seller that you won't buy the system unless they contact Dell and transfer ownership to you.

Q: Is there cable that I can buy that allows me to use the media bay floppy drive as an external floppy drive?

Yes.  One i8200 owner reports being able to use the media bay floppy drive with a Dell cable that has the number 53975 on it.  The cable also has a label that reads: "Attention! For us _only_ with the Floppy-Disk Drive".

Q: I have a external USB floppy drive.  Can I boot from it?

No.  Dell does not support booting from USB or Firewire devices.

Q: Can I run other operating systems on my i8200?

Yes! 

Linux on Laptops - http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html
RedHat 7.3 Linux - http://sequelbasis.sourceforge.net/misc/inspiron8200.html
RedHat 7.3 Linux - http://www.astro.umd.edu/~teuben/linux/laptop/dell8200.html
SuSE Linux - http://home.t-online.de/home/mchristoph.eckert/inspiron8200/Inspiron8200.en.html
SuSE Linux - http://www.stephanwehrheim.de/computer/dell8200+suse80/dell8200+suse80.html
Debian Linux - http://www.rm-r.net/~meff/i8200/
Debian Linux - http://www.deselaers.de/DellInst/index.html
Debian Linux - http://www.stephanwehrheim.de/computer/dell8200+debian30/dell8200+debian30.html
Debian Linux - http://jpstrand.homeip.net/user/delli8200/delli8200.html

Solaris x86 - This is a very difficult install. Has keyboard problems: use USB keyboard for initial install, or see computing.net for a long workaround. Either way, install Dell keyboard patch 112352 Onboard elxl needs updated special elx patch

Q: Are there any good backpacks designed for carrying an Inspiron 8200 size notebook?

Yes! http://www.spireusa.com

Q: What is the part number of the Floppy Drive module?

4D923

Dell Information

Q: How do I get spare parts for my Inspiron 8200?

Call Dell Spare Parts at 1-800-624-9896 (USA) or 1-800-357-3355 (USA)

Q: What is the number for Dell Technical Support?

1-877-576-3355 (USA - for home sales purchased via www.dell.com)
1-800-247-9252 (Dell Mobile Support)
 

Q: Where is the Dell Premier Support Website

http://premiersupport.dell.com

Q: I still have more questions about my Inspiron 8200, who should I ask about them?

Ask your questions on the DellTalk website.  It is a customer forum for Dell owners.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/

Thanks to the following DellTalk users helped to provide much of the information in this FAQ:  johnallg, stonent, somms, bay wolf, duffyanneal, BobMuir, daddyjaxx, d-force

Looking for a good free DNS service?  Try FreeDNS.  http://freedns.afraid.org/

Generic Information:

Front View   1 display latch 9 battery bay 2 display 10 module bay 3 device status lights 11 touch pad/track stick buttons 4 air vent 12 Dell AccessDirect buttons 5 keyboard status lights 13 power button 6 keyboard 14 microphone 7 track stick 15 volume control buttons 8 touch pad       Display Latch— Keeps the display closed. Display— The computer has a color LCD. Device Status Lights   Turns on when you turn on the computer. Turns on when the computer reads or writes data. NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the light is flashing. Turns on steadily or blinks when the computer is in a power management mode. It also blinks to indicate battery charge status. If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows: Solid green: The battery is charging. Flashing green: The battery is fully charged. If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows: Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off). Flashing orange: The battery charge is low. Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.   Air Vents— The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.   HINT: The computer turns on the fans when the computer gets hot. The fans may make noise, which is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fans or the computer CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Doing so can damage the computer or cause a fire.   Keyboard Status Lights— The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:   Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled Keyboard— The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Microsoft® Windows® logo key . Track Stick— Use the track stick and track stick buttons as you would use a mouse. Touch Pad— Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse. Battery Bay— When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting it to an electrical outlet. Module Bay— You can install devices such as a CD drive, CD-RW drive, DVD drive, or Dell TravelLite™ module in the module bay. Touch Pad/Track Stick Buttons— Correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard mouse. Dell™ AccessDirect™ Buttons— Press the buttons to launch various resources, such as your default Internet browser and e-mail program. Power Button— Press the power button to turn on the computer or to enter or exit standby or hibernate mode. If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (which may take about 4 seconds).   NOTICE: Turn off your computer by performing a Windows shutdown. Otherwise, you may lose data.   Microphone— Allows you to record audio. Volume Control Buttons— Increase or decrease the speaker volume with these buttons. Alternatively, you can increase speaker volume by pressing and decrease speaker volume by pressing . You can enable or disable (mute) the integrated stereo speakers or external speakers by pressing . When you mute music, the computer may take a moment to respond. Certain audio utilities installed on your computer also allow you to control speaker volume. If no sound comes from the speakers, press and check the volume control buttons to make sure that the sound is not disabled. Left Side View   1 fixed optical drive 2 S-video TV-out connector 3 security cable slot 4 modem connector 5 network connector 6 speaker Fixed Optical Drive— Accommodates devices such as a CD drive, DVD drive, CD-RW drive, or CD-RW/DVD combo drive. S-Video TV-Out Connector   Connects your computer to a TV. Also connects S/PDIF capable devices using the TV/digital audio adapter cable. Security Cable Slot— Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Instructions for installing antitheft devices are usually included with the device.   NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.     Modem Connector   Connect the telephone line to the modem connector. For information on using the modem, see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer. Network Connector   Connects the computer to a network. The light on the right flashes amber to indicate network activity. The light on the left turns red/orange when the computer is connected to a 100-Mbps network; the light turns green for a 10-Mbps network or a wireless card. For information on using the network adapter, see the online network adapter documentation supplied with your computer. NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. Do not plug a telephone line into the network connector. Speakers— Press the volume control buttons or volume control keyboard shortcuts to adjust the volume of the integrated speakers. Right Side View   1 speaker 5 IEEE 1394 connector 2 security cable slot 6 PC Card slot 3 hard drive bay 7 audio connectors 4 infrared sensor 8 air vents Speakers— Press the volume control buttons or volume control keyboard shortcuts to adjust the volume of the integrated speakers. Security Cable Slot— Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Instructions for installing antitheft devices are usually included with the device.   NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot.   Hard Drive— Reads and writes data on a hard disk. Infrared Sensor— The infrared sensor lets you transfer files from your computer to another infrared-compatible device without using cable connections. IEEE 1394 Connector— Use this connector to attach devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as some digital cameras and video cameras. PC Card Slot— Has two connectors that support various types of PC Cards, including modems and network adapters. Audio Connectors Attach record/playback devices, such as cassette players and CD players, to the connector. Attach headphones or speakers to the connector. Attach a microphone to the connector. Air Vents— The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.   HINT: The computer turns on the fans when the computer gets hot. The fans may make noise, which is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fans or the computer. CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Doing so can damage the computer or cause a fire.   Back View   NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before you disconnect an external device. CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Doing so can damage the computer or cause a fire.     1 air vents 5 docking connector 2 AC adapter connector 6 parallel connector 3 PS/2 connector 7 serial connector 4 video connector 8 USB connectors (2) Air Vents— The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.   HINT: The computer turns on the fans when the computer gets hot. The fans may make noise, which is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fans or the computer. CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Doing so can damage the computer or cause a fire. HINT: Use only the 90-watt AC adapter supplied with the computer.   AC Adapter Connector— Attach the 90-watt AC adapter to the computer. The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off.   CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage. NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter from the computer, grasp the adapter cable connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable. PS/2 Connector HINT: You can use the integrated keyboard and an external keyboard at the same time. When you attach a PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 numeric keypad, the integrated keypad is disabled.     Connects PS/2-compatible devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or external numeric keypad. Shut down the computer before attaching or removing a PS/2-compatible device. If the device does not work, install the device drivers from the floppy disk or CD that came with the device, and restart the computer. Video Connector   Connects an external monitor. Docking Connector HINT: Docking devices may not be available in all countries.   Connects the optional docking device. A docking device allows you to easily use external devices with your computer, such as an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor. See the documentation that came with your docking device for additional information. Parallel Connector   Connects a parallel device, such as a printer. Serial Connector   Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device. USB Connector   Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. Bottom View   1 memory module and modem cover 2 device release latches 3 Mini PCI card cover 4 docking device latch Memory Module and Modem Cover— Protects the memory module(s) and the modem daughter card. Device Release Latches— Press and hold a release latch to remove a device in the module bay. Mini PCI card cover— Covers the compartment that contains the optional Mini PCI card. Docking Device Latch— Latches onto the docking device.

ChangeLog:

• Jan 25 2003
• Changed info about IAA.
• Added www.smallnetbuilder.com.
• Added info about Hitachi acquiring IBM Notebook HDD and added new links to the new sites.
• Mar 11 2003
• Fixed some broken links.
• Revised the battery description - Nov-2003
• Updated memory section - Dec-2003
• Updated video cards - Dec-2003
• Added info about Dell TrueMobile 1300 Mini-PCI card - Jan-2004
• Updated some hard drive specs. - Jan-2004
• Added link to crucial.com - Mar-2004
• Added M50 info - Mar-2004
• Added more Linux links - Mar-2004
• Added links to Linux modem drivers - Mar-2004
• Changed link from GoogleGear.com to ZipZoomFly.com - Apr-2004
• Added Seagate ST9100823A - Dec 2004
• Modified writeup of 2GB memory - Dec 2004
• General cleanup, fixed typos - Dec 2004
• Removed writeup about IAA - Dec 2004.

This page was last modified on: 03/19/2006