Dell 3000 manual Getting Help, Technical Assistance, Review the Dell Q&A

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Chapter 5

Getting Help

This chapter describes the tools Dell provides to help you when you have a problem with your computer. It also tells you when and how to call Dell Computer Corpora- tion for technical or customer assistance in the following situations:

If you have a technical problem, read the next sec- tion, “Technical Assistance.”

If you are looking for information about a specific subject or about Dell’s services , read “Help Tools” found later in this chapter.

If you have a problem with your order, read “Prob- lems With Your Order” found later in this chapter.

If you need to return an item for warranty repair or credit, read “Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit” found later in this chapter.

If you would like to place an order or need informa- tion about additional products available from Dell, call Dell at the appropriate telephone number listed in “Dell Contact Numbers” found later in this chapter.

Technical Assistance

If you need assistance with a technical problem, perform the following steps:

1.Review the Dell Q&A.

Look for the Dell Q&A icon in the Dell

Accessories folder.

2.Review the remaining documentation that accom- panied your Dell computer.

To decide which document has the answers you need, consult the Preface of your Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.

3.Run the diagnostics for your Dell computer.

See Chapter 4, “Running the Dell Diagnostics,” for instructions on using the Dell Diagnostics program.

4.Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist (found later in this chapter), and fill it out.

NOTE: Save the Diagnostics Checklist in this chap- ter as a master so you can use it to make copies as needed.

On your copy of the Diagnostics Checklist, docu- ment any error messages or beep codes as they occur so you can inform the Dell technician of them. Describe what you were doing when the error occurred. Note the steps you have taken to solve the problem.

5.Use the AutoTech service for help with installa- tion and troubleshooting procedures.

For instructions on using the AutoTech service, see “AutoTech Service” found later in this chapter

6.If the preceding steps have not resolved the prob- lem and you need to talk to a Dell technician, you can call Dell’s customer technical support service.

Before you call Dell, have your express service code ready.Your express service code is printed at the bot- tom of the regulatory label on the underside of your computer.

NOTE: If for some reason you cannot read the express service code on the label, you can convert your service tag number into an express service code

Getting Help

5-1

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Contents 551&$1 7528%/6+227,1 Page When Using Your Computer Safety InstructionsErgonomic Computing Habits When Removing or Installing Memory ModulesProtecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Viii Warranty and Return Policy Information PrefaceAbout This Guide Other Documents You May Need Notational ConventionsTypographical Conventions Examples autoexec.bat and c\windows Xii Contents Chapter Troubleshooting Your Computer Chapter Running the Dell Diagnostics Xvi Chapter Getting Help Xviii Appendix C Regulatory Notices Figures Dell Confidential Preliminary 2/4/98 Xxiv Xxv Xxvi Front View of the Portable Computer IntroductionBack View of the Portable Computer Hardware FeaturesIntroduction Available Options Software FeaturesUsing the Power Button Accessing Online DocumentationGetting Help Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide System Utilities Customizing System FeaturesSetup Program Accessing the Setup ProgramMain Menu Options Floppy Drive Quiet BootSystem Time System DateSystem Memory Extended MemorySystem Devices Menu Options CD-ROM Drive Speed PS/2 MouseIDE Controller FDD ControllerSecurity Menu Options AudioPower Menu Options System PasswordSet System Password Password on BootSuspend Time-Out Power Management ModeSmart CPU Mode Standby Time-OutResume on Time of Day Suspend ModeBoot Menu Options Resume on Modem RingExit Menu Options Boot Menu of Setup ProgramReinstalling Utilities and Drivers Adapter Type box, click the Change Button Reinstalling Video DriversClick the Settings tab Click the Advanced Properties button Double-click the Display iconReinstalling Infrared Drivers Reinstalling Touch Pad DriversReinstalling Audio Drivers Reinstalling the Soft WavetableClick Technical Information, and then click Documentation Reinstalling the System User’s GuideClick the Service and Support icon When prompted, save the file to your hard-disk driveIs your computer wet or damaged? Troubleshooting Your ComputerBacking Up Your Files Basic ChecksDid you receive a system message or beep code? Checking ConnectionsChecking an Optional Device Look and ListenBoot Routine Indications Setup OptionsMessages and Codes System Error MessagesFaulty Ter 5, Getting Help Cmos System Beep CodesBeep Codes Error Messages Finding Software SolutionsInstalling and Configuring Software Using SoftwareAvoiding Interrupt Assignment Conflicts Input ErrorsMemory-Resident Programs Program ConflictsTroubleshooting a Wet Computer Troubleshooting ProceduresTroubleshooting a Damaged Computer Total Power Failure When Using the AC Adapter Troubleshooting a Power FailureCall Dell for technical assistance Total Power Failure When Using a BatteryIs the battery status indicator blinking? Yes. Go to step Use the AC adapter to fully charge the batteryDoes the computer display a drive error message? No Power to a Part of the ComputerTroubleshooting the Diskette Drive Troubleshooting the CD-ROM DriveTroubleshooting the Hard-Disk Drive Does the computer recognize the external keyboard? Troubleshooting an External KeyboardTroubleshooting the Built-In Display Troubleshooting MemoryIs an external monitor connected to the computer? Troubleshooting an External MonitorTroubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions Troubleshooting the Serial and Parallel PortsAttempt another print operation on the parallel printer Troubleshooting a Parallel PrinterTroubleshooting a Serial I/O Device Change the necessary statements in the start-up filesTroubleshooting the Touch Pad Troubleshooting the Infrared PortTroubleshooting Audio Functions Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Running the Dell Diagnostics Features of the Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Before You Start Testing Starting the Dell DiagnosticsInstall a CD-ROM drive in the options bay How to Use the Dell Diagnostics Completing the Dell DiagnosticsConfirming the System Configuration Information Select How to Use the MenuMain Menu Options RunOptions Option Parameters Maximum Errors AllowedNumber of Times to Repeat Tests Pause for User ResponseOutput Device for Error Messages Output Device for Status MessagesTest Limits Quit Tests in the Dell DiagnosticsAbout Key-HelpRAM Dell Diagnostics TestsDell Diagnostics Tests Error Messages RAM Test GroupSystem Set Test Group Video Test Group Why Run a Video Test? Why Run a Keyboard Test?Keyboard Test Group Why Run the Mouse Test? Mouse TestDiskette Drives Test Group Why Run a Diskette Drives Test? Why Run a Hard-Disk Drives Test?Hard-Disk Drives Non-SCSI Test Group IDE CD ROM Drives Test Group Why Run an IDE CD ROM Drives Test?Parallel Ports Test Group Why Run a Serial/Infrared Ports Test?Why Run a Parallel Ports Test? Serial/Infrared Ports Test GroupAudio Test Group Why Run an Audio Test?Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Review the Dell Q&A Run the diagnostics for your Dell computerGetting Help Technical AssistanceHelp Tools Help ToolsAutoTech Service Reference and Troubleshooting GuideCommercial Online Service Dell Diagnostics ProgramAutomated Order-Status System TechFax ServiceTechnical Support Service TechConnect BBSBefore You Call Problems With Your OrderReturning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Product InformationDiagnostics Checklist Diagnostics Checklist1344 Dell Contact NumbersInternational Dialing Codes Belgium Dell Contact NumbersAustralia AustriaChina BruneiCanada ChileGermany DenmarkFinland FranceKorea IrelandItaly JapanMalaysia Latin AmericaLuxembourg MacauNorway MexicoNetherlands New ZealandPacific Countries SingaporeSouth Africa Southeast AsianSwitzerland TaiwanThailand Table A-1. Technical Specifications Technical SpecificationsSdram Audio Display XGA Touch Pad Table A-1. Technical Specifications AC Adapter Environmental Computer Video Hardware Test Diagnostic Video TestsText Mode Character Test Video Memory TestCharacter Set Subtest 40 x Character Attributes Subtest 80 xCharacter Set Subtest 80 x Character Attributes Subtest 40 xText Mode Color Test Color Attributes Subtest 80 xTable B-1. Color Attributes Graphics Mode Test Text Mode Pages TestColor Palettes Test Solid Colors Test FCC Class B Notice U.S. Only Regulatory NoticesIC Notice Canada Only Modem RequirementsEN 55022 Compliance Czech Republic Only CE NoticeCanadian Modem Requirements Korean Regulatory Notice Vcci Notices Japan Only8ZNBHBOJB 1PMTLJFHP$FOUSVN Polish Center for Testing and Certification NoticeNOM 024 Information Mexico Only Warranties and Return Policy Limited One-Year Warranty U.S. and Canada OnlyCoverage During Year One Limited Three-Year Warranty U.S. and Canada OnlyGeneral Coverage During Years Two and ThreeTotal Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. and Canada Only Index Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Help tools TechFax service, 5-4 user’s documentation Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Post Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Index XGA display Dell Information Development File Names &
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