Dell Precision™ M90 Mobile
Workstation
Quick Reference Guide
Model PP05XA
w w w . d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m
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 Glossary in your User’s Guide.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows®
operating systems are not applicable.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Dell Precision, and ExpressCharge are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel is a registered trademark
of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth
SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell Inc. under license.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.
Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model PP05XA
February 2006
P/N PD063
Rev. A00
Contents
Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Left Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Right Side View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Back View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Battery Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Checking the Battery Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Replacing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Storing a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Lockups and Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Contents
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Contents
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 for my computer
My computer documentation
My device documentation
Notebook System Software (NSS)
Warranty information
Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
Safety instructions
Regulatory information
Ergonomics information
End User License Agreement
How to remove and replace parts
Specifications
How to configure system settings
How to troubleshoot and solve problems
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD)
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may be optional and may
not ship with your computer.
Documentation and
drivers are already
installed on your
computer. You can use the
CD to reinstall drivers or
to run the Dell Diagnostics
(See "Dell Diagnostics" on
page 19).
Readme files may be
included on your CD to
provide last-minute
updates about technical changes to your computer or
advanced technical-reference material for technicians or
experienced users.
NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at
support.dell.com.
Dell™ Product Information Guide
Dell Precision™ User’s Guide
Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center
1 Click Start→
System Guides→
2 Click the User’s Guide for your computer.
Help and Support→
System Guides.
Dell User and
Quick Reference Guide
5
What Are You Looking For?
Find It Here
Service Tag and Express Service Code
Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License
These labels are located on 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
from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked
questions
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support
site.
Community — Online discussion with other Dell
customers
Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such
as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system
Customer Care — Contact information, service call and
order status, warranty, and repair information
Service and support — Service call status and support
history, service contract, online discussions with
technical support
Reference — Computer documentation, details on my
computer configuration, product specifications, and
white papers
Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software
updates
Notebook System Software (NSS)— If you reinstall the
operating system for your computer, you should also
reinstall the NSS utility. NSS provides critical updates
for your operating system and support for Dell™
3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel® processors, optical
drives, and USB devices. NSS is necessary for correct
operation of your Dell computer. The software
automatically detects your computer and operating
system and installs the updates appropriate for your
configuration.
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Quick Reference Guide
To download Notebook System Software:
1 Go to support.dell.com, select your region or business
segment, and enter your Service Tag.
2 Select Drivers & Downloads and click Go.
3 Click your operating system and search for the keyword
Notebook System Software.
NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface may vary
depending on your selections.
What Are You Looking For?
Find It Here
Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints —
Dell Support Utility
Frequently asked questions, hot topics, and general
health of your computing environment
How to use Windows XP
How to work with programs and files
How to personalize my desktop
How to reinstall my operating system
The Dell Support Utility is an automated upgrade and
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. For more information, see "Dell Support
Utility" in your User’s Guide.
Windows Help and Support Center
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
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.
Operating System CD
NOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may
not ship with your computer.
The operating system is already installed on your computer.
To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating
System CD. See "Reinstalling Windows XP" in your User’s
Guide.
After you reinstall your
operating system, use the
Drivers and Utilities CD
(ResourceCD) to reinstall
drivers for the devices that
came with your computer.
Your operating system
product key label is located
on your computer.
NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating
system you ordered.
Quick Reference Guide
7
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 connector on the computer and to the electrical outlet.
4 Open the computer display and press the power button to turn on the computer (see "Front View" on
page 9).
NOTE: It is recommended that you turn on and shut down your computer at least once before you install any cards
or connect the computer to a docking device or other external device, such as a printer.
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Quick Reference Guide