"i" Button on Dell Inspiron 5100

[BigTimeNovice]

I posted over at the dell forums but got no reply. Anyways, there is a button beside the power button on my laptop. It has the letter "i" and used to be able to do a function when I pushed it. In a re-format due to a nasty computer virus, pressing it does nothing. Where do I find to go and have a function once again?

Thank you

XP Home SP2 with all updates

[Triple7's]

It has the letter "i"

You sure that's not an "!" instead?
Between the power button and LED's is the "AccessDirect" button.
You can program it by click Start>Control Panel>Printers and other hardware>Keyboard Icon>AccessDirect tab.
Click the help button and follow the instructions.

[emty]

It's an "i"...Just the power button. The led at the bottom right of the screen signifies that the power is on if it's lit. If it flashes it signifies that you're in "power management mode".

[BigTimeNovice]

777's: It is an "i" button and once I get to the keyboard icon, there is no link for access direct. There's only Hardware and Speed, and there are no "Help" or Access Direct buttons. I did a search also with troubleshooting the keyboard for access direct, but it came up with nothing. Do I need to install the Dell software too? Only windows xp is installed.

[SpywareDr]

According to the documentation,

http://supportapj.dell.com/support/e...n/i5100-om.pdf
("A Tour of Your Computer" > "Front View")

it looks like the button next to the power button is called the "Dell AccessDirect button".

Under "Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad" > "Dell AccessDirect Button" it states:

Dell™ AccessDirect™ Button

Press this button to launch a frequently used program, such as support and educational tools or your default Internet browser.

Reprogramming the Button

To change the reprogrammable button settings or to find information on using the button:

1. Click the Start button > Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware > Keyboard icon.
   
   
2. Click the AccessDirect tab.
   
   
3. Click the Help button and follow the instructions on the screen.

[Triple7's]

Do I need to install the Dell software too? Only windows xp is installed.

Sorry bigtimenovice, just assumed you re-installed everything from the Dell cd's you were provided with.
No matter, if you don't have them you can download the Dell AccessDirect driver for XP (R53756.EXE, under "Applications"), or anything else you may need from Dells website.

[BigTimeNovice]

SpywareDr and 777's, thank you very much!!! That did it after installing the access direct .exe

This forum rocks! Too bad Dell forums couldn't help me