Dell 9100 owner manual Resolving Other Technical Problems, Drivers, What Is a Driver?

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Resolving Other Technical Problems

G O T O T H E D E L L S U P P O R T W E B S I T E — Go to support.dell.com for help with general usage, installation, and troubleshooting questions. See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 132 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

E - M A I L D E L L — Go to support.dell.com and then click E-Mail Dell in the Communicate list. Send an e-mail message to Dell about your problem; you can expect to receive an e-mail message from Dell within hours. See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 132 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

C O N T A C T D E L L — If you cannot solve your problem using the Dell™ support website or e-mail service, call Dell for technical assistance (see page 132). See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 132 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.

A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.

NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:

•Upgrade your operating system.

•Reinstall your operating system.

•Connect or install a new device.

Solving Problems

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Contents Dell Inspiron Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Optimizing Performance Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Setting Up a Home and Office Network Adding and Replacing Parts 159 Safety General Safety Battery Safety PowerSafety EMC Instructions When Using Your ComputerSafety Air Travel Safety When Working Inside Your Computer Safety Ergonomic Computing HabitsSafety Battery Disposal Safety Protecting Against Electrostatic DischargeSafety Instructions Finding Information How to use standby mode and hibernate mode Warranty, and repair information Finding Information Front View Tour of Your ComputerDevice Status Lights Tour of Your Computer Keyboard Status Lights Left Side View Audio Connectors Back View Right Side ViewVideo Connector Modem Connector RJ-11 W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Bottom View Tour of Your Computer Setting Up Your Internet Connection Setting Up Your ComputerConnecting to the Internet Next window, click the appropriate option Transferring Information to a New ComputerClick Finished and restart the new computer Setting Up a PrinterPrinter Cable Power Protection DevicesConnecting a USB Printer Turning Off Your Computer Uninterruptible Power SuppliesSurge Protectors Line ConditionersSetting Up Your Computer Hyper-Threading Optimizing PerformanceDDR Memory and Processor Front-Side Bus Optimizing Performance Battery Performance Using a BatteryMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Checking the Battery ChargeDell QuickSet Battery Meter Charge Gauge Charging the BatteryLow-Battery Warning Removing a Battery Storing a Battery Installing a BatteryUsing a Battery About the Module Bay Using the Module BayPush the new device into the bay until it clicks Pull the device out of the module bayDevice latch release Using the Module Bay Pull the device out of the module bay Key Combinations Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Speaker Functions Power ManagementDisplay Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch PadCustomizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick Cap Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using CDs and DVDs Using CDs, DVDs, and Other MultimediaHow to Copy a CD or DVD Copying CDs and DVDsHelpful Tips Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWsConnecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device Video and Standard Audio Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Pdif digital audio cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Click Close Click OK Enabling S/PDIF Digital AudioEnabling the Display Settings for a TV Setting Up the Dolby HeadphoneUsing CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Network Setup Wizard Setting Up a Home and Office NetworkConnecting to a Network Adapter On the welcome screen, click Next Connecting to a Wireless Local Area NetworkDetermining Your Network Type Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Click Add Configuring Security Settings Optional Setting Up a Home and Office Network Click Properties Setting Up a Home and Office Network Error Messages Solving ProblemsIf the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is difficult to read Hard Drive Problems Scanner ProblemsIf you have problems with a hard drive If only part of the display is readableExternal Keyboard Problems PC Card ProblemsPower Problems Unexpected Characters Printer Problems Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsProgram crashes Network ProblemsGeneral Program Problems Error messages appear CD or DVD ProblemsProgram stops responding Solid blue screen appearsIf the CD-RW drive stops writing If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive trayIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound If you have a problem with external speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsIf you have a problem with integrated speakers Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Click the Start button and click Control Panel Drivers Resolving Other Technical ProblemsWhat Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesInsert the Drivers and Utilities CD Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Creating a Restore Point Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreSelect a restore point and click Next Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Using the Dell DiagnosticsUndoing the Last System Restore Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing Before You Begin Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPTo reinstall Windows XP, you need the following items Reinstalling Windows XP When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click Next Before You Begin Adding and Replacing PartsRecommended Tools Shutting Down Your ComputerAdding and Replacing Parts 101 Hard Drive102 Returning a Hard Drive to Dell103 Memory104 105 106 Mini PCI Card107 Replace the cover and tighten the captive screw 109 SubwooferInsert the subwoofer into the compartment within the battery 111 FansFan release lever 113 Hinge CoversLeft hinge cover Right hinge cover 115 DisplayScrews labeled D 117 Lift the display out of the computer at a 90-degree angleKeyboard 119 120 Reserve Battery121 Card with Bluetooth Wireless TechnologyAdding and Replacing Parts 123 SpecificationsAppendix USB 124Lvds 125126 127 128 Viewing the System Setup Screens Using the System Setup ProgramOverview 129Commonly Used Options System Setup Screens131 Enabling the Infrared SensorDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsContacting Dell Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 What is not covered by this limited warranty? What is covered by this limited warranty?Limited Warranties 149150 How long does this limited warranty last?What do I do if I need warranty service? What will Dell do? What if I purchased a service contract?How will you fix my product? 151152 May I transfer the limited warranty?153 154 Dell Software and Peripherals Canada Only 156 Making a ClaimLimitation and Statutory Rights 157 Intel’s Three Year Limited WarrantyWhat are Errata? 158Index Floppy drive connecting to a USB Programs Device Driver Rollback, 90 enabling display settings for a

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