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GENERAL INFORMATION

• Typical Components
  • LCD Display
  • Keyboard
  • Pointing Device
  • External Ports
  • Audio
  • Device Bays
• Power Management and Battery Care

This document is a complement to the Notebook Computer - General Information. It will follow the same layout and will add Dell Latitude CPt S model specific information for every applicable section

The most obvious components of the Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer are the LCD display, keyboard and pointing device. There are external ports for plugging in keyboard, mouse, speakers/headphones, external video display, printers, AC power pack, USB devices and PCMCIA/PC cards. It has internal device bays. It has a dedicated, battery only internal bay and a multipurpose internal bay for battery, floppy drive and CD-ROM/DVD drive. See figures 1 and 2 for locations of typical components.

Figure 1

1 Touch pad 2 Keyboard 3 Track stick 4 Power button 5 Keyboard status LEDs 6 Display 7 Display latch 8 Air intake 9 Internal modem connector (optional at time of system purchase) 10 S-Video connector 11 Audio jacks (3) 12 Integrated microphone 13 Speaker 14 Modular bay 15 DualPoint buttons 16 Battery bay

Figure 2

1 Fan 2 Video connector 3 Parallel connector 4 Status indicator panel 5 Docking connector 6 USB connector 7 PS/2 connector 8 Serial connector 9 AC adapter connector 10 Infrared port 11 Security cable slot 12 PC Card slots (2) 13 Hard-disk drive 14 Security cable slot 15 Speaker

LCD Display

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has a 14.1-inch TFT LCD display. It supports the following screen resolutions: 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768. We configure the LCD display for 1024x768 for compatibility with overhead display projection equipment. If you select a lower screen resolution the display will adjust automatically to fill the entire LCD display.

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has a method for choosing to display the screen on the LCD display, on an external video display (video projector or video monitor) or both at the same time. Pressing the function key (Fn) and CRT/LCD (F8) accomplishes this. Keep in mind that any external video display must be capable of displaying the screen resolution you've selected. The external video display port has been configured for 1024x768 screen resolution

Keyboard

Besides becoming familiar with the placement of some keys, the most notable difference between the keyboard on your desktop computer and the keyboard on the Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer is the addition of notebook computer specific function keys. An icon is printed on a key cap, in a purple color, to identify the functions keys. The function keys are used in the same way as "Shift", "Ctrl" and "Alt" functions. The function shift key is identified as "Fn" and is printed in the same color as the function key icons. The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computers has the following function keys:

• Suspend. (Fn + Esc) Places the notebook computer in suspend mode.
• Setup. (Fn + F1) Enters CMOS setup mode.
• Batteries Status. (Fn + F3) Enters Batteries status display mode.
• CRT/LCD toggle. (Fn + F8) Selects between LCD display and external video display.
• Eject CD. (Fn + F10)
• Audio Mute, Increase Volume, Decrease volume. (Fn + End, PageUp or PageDn)
• LCD Brightness and Contrast. (Fn + Arrow Key) Adjust the LCD display brightness and contrast.

See the section on External Ports for information about connecting an external keyboard.

Pointing Device

The Dell Latitude CPt S offers dual built-in pointing devices: touch pad and track stick. Both pointing devices can be active at the same time and can be used interchangeably. If you prefer, you can disable one or the other pointing device. Click the Windows Start button, Settings, Control Panel. Double click the Mouse icon. Under the Device Select tab you will see selections for Stick, Stick & Pad and Pad. Make your selection then click OK and close the Control Panel window.

External Ports

If you frequently use a notebook computer at the same location, like at a desk, you my want to use a full size keyboard, mouse and video monitor. The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has external ports to allow you to plug in any of these devices. Use extra caution when you use the notebook computer's external ports to prevent damage to the cables or ports when moving or lifting the notebook computer. You should never plug or unplug external devices or cables when the computer is turned on. Two exceptions to this rule are the AC power pack and the modem telephone cable.

Port Replicator

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer does support an optional port replicator (Latitude C/Port II). The port replicator simplifies the connecting and disconnecting of external devices. It has all the same ports as the notebook computer and some it does not: two USB ports instead of one, a separate PS/2 port for the keyboard and mouse and a built in Ethernet port. It also has a convenient location for placing a video monitor on top. You plug all your external devices into the port replicator then simply insert and remove just the port replicator with the notebook computer.

Docking Station

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer does support an optional docking station (Latitude C/Dock II). The docking station provides similar function as a port replicator. It also provides two slots for PCI expansion cards, a SCSI-2 port and has a media bay that accepts all the Latitude-C drives. It has a more advanced method of connecting and disconnecting from the notebook computer. It has a convenient location for placing a video monitor on top.

Keyboard

There are two types of keyboard plugs: AT and PS/2. The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer only accepts the smaller, PS/2 plug. If you have an older AT style keyboard plug, don't despair or run out and buy a new keyboard. Adapters are available that will let you use your AT style keyboard.

Mouse

Some users prefer to carry an external mouse with them because they don't like to use the built in pointing devices. If you do carry an external mouse you should also carry a mouse pad. There are two types of mouse plugs: serial and PS/2. The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has only one, dual purpose, PS/2 port for keyboard or mouse. If you don't often use an external keyboard then you should use a PS/2 style mouse. If you do plan on using an external keyboard then you have no choice but to use a serial mouse. You may have to search around a little for a serial mouse as many manufacturers have stopped producing them.

Video Monitor

Some users prefer to use a video monitor instead of the LCD display for lengthy session on the notebook computer. The 14.1-inch TFT LCD display is very acceptable for lengthy sessions on the computer. It has a similar displayable area as a 15-inch video monitor. You will notice if you plug in an external video monitor or video projector, when the notebook computer is turned on, it will automatically switch the screen to the external video display. Remember you can use the notebook computer keyboard function to switch the screen back to the LCD display at any time.

PCMCIA/PC Cards

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has two slots for PCMCIA/PC cards. These cards are typically used for modems and network adapters. Some cards have built in jacks to plug in a telephone cord or network patch cable. Some cards use an adapter cable that allows the telephone cord or network cable to be plugged in. Take care to not loose these adapter cables.

Audio

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has external ports for microphone input, audio output and surround sound output. The audio output can be used to plug in stereo headphones.

Device Bays

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has two swappable device bays. The left bay is dedicated for battery only. The right bay is a general purpose (i.e. battery, floppy drive, CD-ROM/DVD drive, Hard Disk drive). The floppy drive can be used externally with the CD-ROM/DVD drive in the multipurpose internal bay. A cable is provided that allows you to plug the floppy drive into the notebook computer printer port.

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has a utility that allows you to swap drives without shutting down the notebook computer. Consult your documentation for details.

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has a universal power supply. The power supply will function with any voltage from 100-240 volts and 50/60 Hz. This means you won't need any voltage/frequency converters to use the notebook computer when traveling internationally. You will most likely need an adapter to allow the power supply cord to be plugged into a foreign AC power outlet. Kits are available that contain foreign AC power and telephone adapters.

The Dell Latitude CPt S notebook computer has Lithium batteries. You may discharge and charge the batteries in whatever fashion is convenient. You should avoid exposing them to extremes of hot or cold. This usually happens by leaving the notebook computer and its batteries in a car. Exposure to temperature extremes will simply drain the battery. The battery may be recharged with no noticeable after affects. Lithium batteries can be damaged if they are recharged when they are very hot. Most of them have thermal protection and will refuse to charge if they are too hot. If you encounter this situation, allow the battery to cool at room temperature before attempting to recharge it.

Suspend mode conserves battery power by turning off the microprocessor clock; the display; the hard-disk drive; the CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM drive module (if installed); the external monitor connector; the external keyboard (if attached); the parallel port; the serial port; the touch pad; and the diskette drive.

You can activate suspend mode immediately by pressing <Fn><Esc>. When your system is in suspend mode, the power indicator is not lit. Resume from suspend mode by pressing the power button. The computer may take several seconds to return to normal operation.