Dell Alienware Aurora Owners Manual

							11CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP 
Press the Power Button 
Press the power button on the top of the computer.
Connect the Power Cable 
WARNING: The power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using  an  incompatible  cable  or  improperly  connecting  the  cable  to  a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage. 
						

							12CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP 
Setting Up a Wireless Connection  
NOTE: To set up your wireless router, see 
the documentation that shipped with your router.
Before you can use your wireless Internet connection, you need to connect to your wireless router. 
To set up your connection to a wireless router:
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.1. 
Click 2. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type 3. network, and then click Network and Sharing 
Center→ Connect to a network.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.4. 
Set Up Microsoft Windows
CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing so may render your desktop unusable.
Your  computer  is  preconfigured  with  the  operating  system  settings  that  you selected  while  ordering  your  computer.  To  configure  the  remaining  settings, follow the instructions on the screen.  
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you  download  and  install  the  latest  BIOS  and  drivers  for  your  computer available at support.dell.com.
 
 
NOTE: For  more  information  on  the  operating  system  and  features,  see support.dell.com/MyNewDell.
Connect to the Internet (Optional)
Setting Up a Wired Connection
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect the telephone line to the • external USB modem (optional) and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection.
If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite modem connection, contact your ISP • or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.
To complete setting up your wired Internet connection, follow the instructions in 
“Setting Up Your Internet Connection” on page 13. 
						

							13CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP 
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for offerings available in your country.
If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.
Have  your  ISP  information  ready.  If  you  do  not  have  an  ISP,  the Connect  to  the Internet wizard can help you get one.
To set up your Internet connection:
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.1. 
Click 2. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type 3. network, and then click Network and Sharing 
Center→ Set up a new connection or Network→ Connect to the Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window appears.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me  choose or contact your ISP.
Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information 4. provided by your ISP to complete the setup. 
						

							14CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP  
						

							15CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW  YOUR DESKTOP 
This chapter provides information about your new desktop to familiarize you with its various features, and to get you up and running quickly.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW  
YOUR DESKTOP
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP 
						

							16CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW  YOUR DESKTOP 
1Hard drive activity light — Blinks to indicate hard drive activity when the computer reads or writes data.
CAUTION: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the hard drive activity light is blinking. 
2Alienhead — Lowers the drive panel when pressed. The drive panel can also be lowered when the computer is turned off.
3Optical drive — Plays or records CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs.
4Optical drive bays (2) — Can support additional optical drive(s).
5Drive panel — Covers the optical drive(s) or optical drive bay(s). 
NOTE: The drive panel is shown in the open position.
6Optical drive eject button — Ejects the optical drive tray.
Front View Features
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							17CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW  YOUR DESKTOP 
1Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that it fits into the security cable slot on your computer.
2Latch — Closes or opens the security cable slot and locks or unlocks the release panel. Slide the latch to the right to open the security lock slot and to unlock the release panel.
3Back panel connectors — Connect USB, audio, and other devices into the appropriate connectors.
For more information, see “Back Panel Connectors” on page 19.
4Expansion card slots — Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express cards.
5Power connector — Connects to the power cable. 
6Diagnostic light — Indicates if the power supply is in working condition.
7Diagnostic button — Turns on the diagnostic light when pressed.
Back View Features
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							18CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW  YOUR DESKTOP 
Back Light Button
Press the back light button to turn on the light to view the back panel connectors. This light automatically turns off after a few seconds. 
NOTE: In  Alienware  Aurora  Standard,  the  back  light  will  function  only when  the  computer  is  turned  on.  In  Alienware  Aurora  ALX,  the  back  light will function even when the computer is turned off, as the light is powered by internal batteries. 
						

							19CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW  YOUR DESKTOP 
Back Panel Connectors
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NOTE: Some back panel connectors may not be available on your computer. For details, see “Specifications” on page 59.
1 Optical S/PDIF connector 
  — Connects to amplifiers, speakers, or TVs for digital audio output through optical digital cables. This format carries an audio signal without going through an analog audio conversion process (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only).
2 eSATA connector — Connects to eSATA compatible storage devices such as external hard drives or optical drives.
3 USB 2.0 connectors (6) — Connect to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
4Audio connectors — Connect to speakers, microphones, and headphones. NOTE: For information on audio connectors, see “Connecting External Speakers” on page 20 .
5 Network connector — Connects your computer to a network or broadband device.
6 IEEE 1394 connector — Connects to high-speed serial multimedia devices such as digital video cameras.
7 Coaxial S/PDIF connector — Connects to amplifiers, speakers, or TVs for digital audio output through coaxial digital cables. This format carries 
an audio signal without going through an analog audio conversion process (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only). 
						

							20CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW  YOUR DESKTOP 
Connecting External Speakers
Your  Alienware  desktop  has  five  integrated  audio  out  connectors  and  one audio in connector.  The  audio  out  connectors  deliver  quality  sound  and  support 7.1  surround audio. You can connect the audio input connector from a home stereo or speaker system for a heightened gaming and media experience. 
NOTE: On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
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1 Side L/R surround connector — Connects to side L/R surround speakers.
2 Rear L/R surround connector — Connects to rear L/R surround 
speakers. 
3 Center/subwoofer connector  — Connects to a center speaker or subwoofer.
4 Line-in connector — Connects to recording or playback devices such as a microphone, cassette player, CD player, or VCR. 
5 Front L/R line-out connector — Connects to front L/R speakers. 
6 Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone for voice or audio input into a sound or telephony program.