Dell 1501 owner manual Solving Problems, When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

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Solving Problems

Dell Diagnostics

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Lockups and Software Problems" on page 72 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell computers.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not ship with your computer.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.

NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell. See "Contacting Dell" on page 109.

1Shut down the computer.

2Connect the computer to an electrical outlet, if it is not already connected.

3Turn on (or restart) your computer.

4Diagnostics can be invoked one of two ways:

a Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select Diagnostics from the boot menu and press <Enter>.

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.

bPress and hold the <Fn> key while powering the system on.

NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities CD.

Solving Problems

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Contents W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Dell InspironAbbreviations and Acronyms Contents Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Configuring Power Management SettingsWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your ComputerProgram stops responding or crashes repeatedly If only part of the display is readable Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 104 103107 108Glossary Index Contents Finding Information Warranty informationSupport.dell.com Setup Diagram What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Click the topic that describes your problemClick the arrow icon Follow the instructions on the screenService call status and support history Microsoft Windows System Restore MicrosoftTop technical issues for my computer Frequently asked questionsAbout Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s ConfigurationAbout Your Computer Front View V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S About Your Computer Y B O a R D a N D W I R E L E S S S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View Right Side View Back View Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor Bottom View Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your ComputerSetting Up Your Internet Connection Setting Up Your ComputerTransferring Information to a New Computer Click Finish and restart the new computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Connecting a USB Printer Setting Up a PrinterPrinter Cable Surge Protectors Power Protection DevicesLine Conditioners Uninterruptible Power SuppliesSetting Up Your Computer Adjusting Brightness Using the DisplaySwitching the Video Image Setting Display ResolutionUsing the Display Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Key Combinations Speaker Functions Adjusting Keyboard SettingsMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog boxCustomizing the Touch Pad Touch PadBattery Performance Using a BatteryUsing a Battery Microsoft Windows Power Meter Checking the Battery ChargeCheck the Battery Charge Check the Battery HealthLow-Battery Warning Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Standby ModeHibernate Mode Configuring Power Management SettingsReplacing the Battery Charging the BatteryStoring a Battery Using Multimedia Using MultimediaPlaying a CD or DVD Adjusting the Picture Adjusting the VolumeCopying CDs and DVDs Using Blank CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVDMedia Type Read Write Rewritable Helpful TipsInstalling an ExpressCard Using CardsUsing Cards ExpressCardsRemoving an ExpressCard or Blank Media Memory Cards Installing a Media Memory CardRemoving a Media Memory Card Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Setting Up a NetworkSetting Up a Network Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Network Setup WizardChecking Your Wireless Network Card What You Need to Establish a Wlan ConnectionSetting Up a New Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Connecting to a Wireless Local Area NetworkCompleting the Connection to the Wlan Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network CardSetting Up a Network Securing Your Computer PasswordsSecurity Cable Lock Securing Your ComputerIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking SoftwareDell Diagnostics Solving ProblemsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard DriveOption Function Tab Function CD and DVD drive problems Drive ProblemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Hard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Error Messages Characters in filenames Solving Problems Solving Problems Keyboard Problems ExpressCard ProblemsWindows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listed ManufacturerUnexpected characters External Keyboard problemsComputer does not start up Lockups and Software ProblemsComputer stops responding Program stops responding or crashes repeatedlyOther software problems Memory ProblemsPower Problems Network ProblemsCommunication exists. Replace the network cable Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Printer ProblemsSound and Speaker Problems Scanner ProblemsNo sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakersNo sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsIf the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is difficult to read Picture qualityDrivers What Is a Driver?If only part of the display is readable Identifying DriversUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing the Drivers and Utilities CD Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreSolving Problems Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Before You Begin Using the Operating System CDDell Operating System CD Dell Drivers and Utilities CD Reinstalling Windows XP Adding and Replacing Parts Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Recommended ToolsBefore Working Inside Your Computer Battery-bay latch release Hard Drive Optical DriveTo replace the hard drive in the hard drive bay Returning a Hard Drive to Dell MemorySecuring clips Memory module Per connector Replace the memory module cover Modem Adding and Replacing Parts Hinge Cover Keyboard Wireless Mini-Card Mini-Card Antenna cables Antenna cable connectors 101 Install the replacement Mini-CardAdding and Replacing Parts 103 Coin-Cell BatteryDisplay 105 Lift the display up and away from the computer106 Identifying Your Computer Traveling With Your ComputerPacking the Computer 107Traveling by Air Travel Tips109 Contacting DellContacting Dell 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 Called from within Singapore or Malaysia only 124Website support.ap.dell.com 125 126 127 128 Printers, and Projectors for Relationship129 130 131 Specifications132 Ports and ConnectorsIn-1 Media Memory Card Reader MemoryCommunications 133Video AudioDisplay 134135 BatteryKeyboard Touch PadAC Adapter 136Physical 137Environmental 138 Entering System Setup Using the System Setup ProgramAppendix 139Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot Sequence140 141 Performing a One-Time BootComputer, Keyboard, and Display Cleaning Your ComputerTouch Pad Floppy DriveDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsCDs and DVDs 143Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals FCC Notice U.S. OnlyFCC Class B 144PP23LA 145146 147 GlossaryGlossary 148 Device driver See driver 149Docking device See APR 150 151 152 NIC See network adapter 153154 System tray See notification area 155156 Video resolution See resolution157 158 159 IndexIndex 160 See also hard drive See also optical drive161 162 Problems programs and Windows163 164

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