Alienware Area-51 m5550 User Manual

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference1NoticeThe information in this user’s manual is subject to change without notice.THE MANUFACTURER OR RESELL

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference10Performance FeaturesHigh Performance Processor with Calistoga ChipsetThe notebook PC is equipped with a p

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference11The built-in 4-in-1 card reader lets you access many of the portable media formats (SD Card, MMC Card, MS

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference12System At A GlanceTop View1. LCD LatchThe LCD latches lock / unlock the LCD panel.2. LCD DisplayThe panel

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference133. KeyboardThe keyboard is used to enter data. It has an embedded numeric keypad and cursor control keys.

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference14Note: When the system power is initially turned on, the Scroll-lock, Cap-lock, and Numeric keypad LED ind

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference15Front and Rear View Warning: Do not place any heavy objects on the top of the notebook. This may damage t

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference165. Ventilation GrillThe fan grill is where air is exchanged to dissipate the internal heat. Do not block

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference17Side ViewsWarning: Do not place any heavy objects on the top of your notebook. This may damage the displa

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference185. USB2.0 Port (x2)The Universal Serial Bus (USB2.0-compliant) port allows you to connect a wide variety

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference1912. ExpressCard SlotThe slot is where ExpressCard (Type 54) is inserted. ExpressCard Type 54 allows inser

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference2TABLE OF CONTENTSPREFACESymbols and ConventionsProtecting Your Computer - Avoid Abusive Handling and Adver

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference20Bottom View1. Battery Pack and Battery LatchThe battery pack is a built-in power source for the notebook.

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference21m5550-04-2007-techref.indd 21 4/6/2007 12:29:46 PM

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference223. System Device CoverThe system’s processor with cooler assembly, wireless LAN module, and DDR memory mo

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference23AC Adapter 1. DC-out ConnectorThe DC-out connector docks to the power jack (DC-in) on the computer. 2. Ad

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference24LED Status IndicatorThe LED Status Indicator displays the operating status of your notebook. When a certa

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference25Keyboard FeaturesFunction Keys (Quick Keys)Graphic SymbolAction System ControlFn + F1 Enters Suspend Mode

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference26Windows KeysYour keyboard also has two Windows keys: 1. Start KeyThis key allows you to pull up the Wind

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference27Touch PadThe built-in touch pad, which is a PS/2-compatible pointing device, senses movement on its surfa

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference28Graphics SubsystemYour computer uses a high-performance 15.4-inch (non-wide) active matrix TFT panel with

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference29Audio SubsystemYour computer’s audio subsystem is Sound Blaster Pro-compatible. Adjusting the Volume Manu

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference32. BIOS SETUP AND SECURITYEntering the BIOS Setup Screen (33)Leaving the BIOS Setup Screen (33)BIOS Action

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference30To change the modem setting, do the following:1. Go to [Start > Settings > Control Panel] and dou

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference31CHAPTER TWOBIOS SETUP AND SECURITY FEATUREIn this chapter, you will learn how to enter the BIOS Setup Men

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference32The Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference33Entering the BIOS Setup ScreenFirst turn on the power. When the BIOS performs the POST (Power-On Self Tes

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference34Item Selections /Sub-menuDescriptionQuick Boot DisabledEnabledCertain tests are skipped during boot-up, t

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference35Item Selections /Sub-menuDescription1st Boot Device Removable Dev. CD/DVDHard DriveRealtek Boot AgentDisa

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference36Using Password ProtectionTwo levels of password protection are available. The BIOS provides both a Superv

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference37Item Selections /Sub-menuDescriptionLong Battery Life Mode DisabledEnabledWhen Enabled, maximum battery l

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference38CHAPTER THREEBATTERY POWER & POWER MANAGEMENTIn this chapter, you will learn the fundamentals of powe

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference39In this chapter, you will learn how to operate your notebook on battery power, how to handle and maintain

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference44. UPGRADING YOUR COMPUTERUpgrading the Hard Disk Drive (57)Upgrading the System Memory (60)Installing a m

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference40Warning: Do not expose battery packs to temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees F) or above 60 d

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference41Installing and Removing the Battery PackTo Remove the Battery Pack:1. Place the notebook bottom-side up

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference42To Install the Battery Pack:1. Place the notebook bottom-side up on a flat and secured surface.2. Caref

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference43Prolonging the Battery’s Life and Usage CyclesThere are things you can do to prolong the use of the batte

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference44Using Windows Power OptionsWindows Power Management provides basic power saving features. In the Windows

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference45In this dialog box, you can manually set the LCD and hard drive’s time-out values in the Plugged In colum

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference46Suspend ModeStandby SuspendThe system automatically enters this mode after a period of inactivity, which

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference47Power Button ActionThe notebook PC’s power button can be set to turn off the system or activate the suspe

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference48Low Battery WarningYou can define when and how the system warns you of its low-battery condition. Go to th

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference49Power Menu Quick AccessInstead of making specific selections in the Power Options Properties box, you can

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference5PrefaceUsing This ManualThis User’s Manual contains general information about the hardware and software se

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference50Windows’ Power PlansWindows VistaThe power management control panel in Windows Vista, known as Power Plan

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference51Note: Also consult the Windows user guide for more information on how to use Windows power management fun

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference52Suspend ModeWindows VistaStandby SuspendThe system automatically enters this mode after a period of inact

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference53Power Button ActionThe notebook PC’s power button can be set to turn off the system or activate the suspe

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference54Low Battery WarningYou can define when and how the system warns you of its low-battery condition.Click the

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference55Power Menu Quick AccessInstead of making specific selections in the Power Options Properties box, you can

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference56CHAPTER FOURUPGRADING YOUR COMPUTERIn this chapter, you will learn how to upgrade the DRAM and hard disk

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference57Warning: We strongly recommend that you send your notebook back to your dealer or agent for the specificat

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference58Upgrading the Hard Disk DriveTo replace the hard disk drive, do the following:1. Turn OFF the computer.

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference59 6. Push the HDD module to the right and separate it from the connector. Lift the module away from

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference6Protecting Your Computer - Avoid Abusive Handling and Adverse EnvironmentsFollowing the advice below will

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference60Upgrading the System MemoryMany applications will generally run faster when the computer’s dynamic memory

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference61Installing a memory module (DIMM) into the systemTo install the DIMM, do the following:1. Power OFF the

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference625. If you need to remove an old DIMM from the socket, press out on the latches located on both edges of

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference63Adding a Mini-PCI Type Wireless LAN Card (Optional Device)Your computer comes with a unique Mini PCI Card

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference64Installing a Mini PCI Card into the SystemTo install a new Mini PCI card, do the following:1. Follow the

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference653. Locate 2 antenna cables with connectors. Snap the cable onto the golden connector on the Mini PCI Wir

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference66CHAPTER FIVETROUBLESHOOTINGIn this chapter, you will learn how to solve common hardware and software prob

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference67Your computer has been fully tested and complies with the system specifications before shipping. However,

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference68Audio ProblemsNo speaker output • Turn up the volume dial located at the left edge of the computer. See

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference69Hard Disk ProblemsThe hard disk drive does not work or is not recognizableIf you had just performed a har

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference7When cleaning the computer, observe these steps:1. Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.2.

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference70The hard disk takes longer to read a file If you have been using the drive for a period, the files may be f

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference71Optical Drive ProblemsThe optical drive does not work • Try rebooting the system.• The disk is damaged

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference72Display ProblemsThe display panel is blank when the system is turned on • Make sure the computer is not

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference73Keyboard and Mouse Problems The built-in touch pad performs erratically• Make sure there is no excess pe

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference74CMOS Battery ProblemA message “CMOS Checksum Failure” displays during the booting process or the time (cl

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference75Modem ProblemsThe built-in modem does not respond Make sure the modem driver is loaded properly.Go to [St

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference76Network Adapter / Ethernet ProblemsThe Ethernet adapter does not work • Go to [Start > Settings >

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference77PC Card / PCMCIA ProblemsNote: Some systems may not have the PC Card Slot option.PC Cards do not function

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference78Performance ProblemsThe computer becomes hot • In a 35oC environment, certain areas of the computer’s ba

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference79Firewire (IEEE1394) and USB2.0 ProblemsThe USB device does not work • Windows NT 4.0 does not support US

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference8Chapter SummariesThe following is a summary of the available chapters and appendices in this manual.Chapte

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference80APPENDIX APRODUCT SPECIFICATIONSm5550-04-2007-techref.indd 80 4/6/2007 12:29:53 PM

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference81Processor and Core Logic• Mobile Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo (Napa) Dual Core, up to 2.33GHz, 2 MB L2 cache

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference82Modem Intel (ICH7M) integrated Modem Controller with MDC card, AC97 V2.2 Modem supportV.92 / V.90 / K5

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference83Keyboard & Touch pad88-key QWERTY keyboard with embedded numeric keypad and Windows keys, 19.05mm

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference84BIOSPhoenix PnP BIOSPower On Self TestDRAM auto-detection, auto-sizingL2 Cache auto-detectionHard disk ty

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference85APPENDIX BAGENCY REGULATORY NOTICESm5550-04-2007-techref.indd 85 4/6/2007 12:29:54 PM

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference86Federal Communications Commission NoticeThis equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limit

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference87European NoticeProducts with the CE Marking comply with both the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and the Low V

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference88Power Cord RequirementThe power cord supplied with the AC adapter should match the plug and voltage requi

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference89Other CountriesThe cord set fittings must bear the certification mark of the agency responsible for evaluat

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference9CHAPTER ONEGETTING TO KNOW THE BASICS This chapter introduces the features and components of the computer.

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference90Telephone Lines RequirementThe appropriate utilization of a 26AWG telephone line cord on the unit.CAUTION

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference91Laser SafetyThe optical drive used with this computer is certified as a Class 1 laser device according to

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference92gebrauchter Batterien nach Angaben des Herstellers.Der Arbeitsplatzbezogene Schalldruckpegel nach DIN 45