Dell 320 Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers

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Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 320 User's Guide

Drivers

Using Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore

Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP

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

NOTICE: You must use Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 or later when you reinstall the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

NOTE: If you installed a unique image on your computer or if you had to reinstall your operating system, run the DSS utility. DSS is available on your optional Drivers and Utilities CD (Resource CD) and at support.dell.com.

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 optional Drivers and Utilities CD (Resource 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.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.

1.Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2.Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3.Click System.

4.In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.

5.Click Device Manager.

6.Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon.

If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver (see Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System).

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and Utilities CD (Resource CD) provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD (Resource CD) is optional, and as such, may not ship with certain computers.

Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously

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Contents Dell OptiPlex 320 Users Guide Security Advanced FeaturesLegacySelect Technology Control ManageabilityAssigning a System Password Password ProtectionSystem Password Option SettingsDeleting or Changing an Existing System Password Administrator PasswordAssigning an Administrator Password System Setup Screens System SetupDisabling a Forgotten Password and Setting a New Password Entering System SetupSystem System Setup OptionsPS/2 Unlocked Boot SequenceMemory Key Booting to a USB DeviceChanging Boot Sequence for the Current Boot Changing Boot Sequence for Future BootsJumper Setting Description Clearing Forgotten PasswordsFloppy Drive Click Hardware and click Device Manager Clearing Cmos SettingsPower Management Hyper-ThreadingSleep Mode Wake-Up Methods Windows XP Battery Back to Contents Before Working Inside Your Computer Before You BeginRecommended Tools Turning Off Your ComputerPage CDs and DVDs Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Monitor MouseBack to Contents Connecting Two to Three Monitors Using Surround View Connecting Multiple MonitorsChanging the Display Settings About Your Desktop Computer Desktop ComputerFront View Back View Back-Panel ConnectorsInside Your Computer System Board Components PCI and PCI Express Cards Installing an Expansion CardRemoving an Expansion Card Back to Contents Removing the Processor ProcessorInstalling the Processor Back to Contents IDE Drive Connector Serial ATA Connector General Installation GuidelinesConnecting Drive Cables Drive Interface ConnectorsIDE Drive Addressing Power Cable ConnectorsConnecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables CD/DVD DriveInstalling a CD/DVD Drive Removing a Floppy Drive Floppy DriveInstalling a Floppy Drive Removing a Hard Drive Hard DriveInstalling a Hard Drive Back to Contents Removing the I/O Panel PanelReplacing the I/O Panel Replacing the Power Supply Power SupplyPin Number Signal name AWG Wire DC Power ConnectorsPin Number Signal Name 22-AWG Wire Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG WireBack to Contents Removing the Computer Cover Desktop Computer Specifications Controls and Lights ConnectorsDrives Key CombinationsPhysical PowerEnvironmental FCC Class B FCC Notice U.S. OnlyWhat Are You Looking For? Find It Here Finding InformationSupport.dell.com Select Drivers & Downloads and click Go Dell Support Website support.dell.comClick Start→ Help and Support See Drivers and Utilities CD also known as ResourceCD Ftp.dell.com Online ServicesGetting Help Technical AssistanceTechnical Support Service Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status ServiceBefore You Call Diagnostics ChecklistContacting Dell Australia Sydney Antigua and BarbudaArgentina Buenos Aires ArubaCayman Islands Canada North YorkOntario 011Ecuador Denmark CopenhagenDominica Dominican RepublicHong Kong GrenadaGuatemala GuyanaWebsite support.euro.dell.com Luxembourg Japan KawasakiKorea Seoul Latin AmericaNicaragua Netherlands AntillesNetherlands Amsterdam New Zealand Website support.ap.dell.com09/091 005Slovakia Prague Website support.euro.dell.com South Africa JohannesburgCustomer Care Bracknell Website support.ap.dell.com ThailandTrinidad/Tobago Turks and Caicos IslandsVenezuela Virgin IslandsGlossary Docking device See APR Device driver See driverPage Page NIC See network adapter Module bay See media bayPage Video resolution See resolution Back to Contents DDR2 Memory Overview MemoryRemoving Memory Installing MemoryBack to Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms Mini Tower ComputerAbout Your Mini Tower Computer Mini Tower ComputerBack View Inside Your Computer System Board Components Back to Contents Installing a Expansion Card Removing an Expansion Card Installing a Expansion CardPage Removing an Expansion Card Back to Contents Processor Installing the Processor Page Back to Contents IDE Data Cable Connector Sata Data Cable Connector Data Cable ConnectorsIDE Drive Power Connector Sata Power Connector Hard Drive Hard drive Release tabs Adding a Second Hard Drive Page Drive-Panel Inserts Removing the Floppy Drive Installing the Floppy Drive CD/DVD Drive Removing a CD/DVD Drive Back to Contents Panel Power Supply Pspwrgood DC Power Connectors P3 and P5 DC Power Connectors P8 and P9 Removing the Computer Cover Mini Tower Computer Specifications Cards Full-height cards supported Power Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows XP FeaturesSetting Up a Home and Office Network User Accounts and Fast User SwitchingClick Checklist for creating a network Replacing the Computer Cover Desktop Computer Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating SystemWhat Is a Driver? Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesCreating a Restore Point Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreUsing the Optional Drivers and Utilities CD Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPUndoing the Last System Restore Enabling System RestoreBooting From the Operating System CD Reinstalling Windows XPWindows XP Setup Next CD and DVD drive problems Solving ProblemsBattery Problems Drive ProblemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Keyboard ProblemsLockups and Software Problems Hard drive problemsProgram stops responding Other software problemsComputer does not start up Computer stops respondingMouse Problems Memory ProblemsPower Problems Network ProblemsRestoring Default Settings Printer ProblemsSound and Speaker Problems Serial or Parallel Device ProblemsNo sound from speakers No sound from headphones Video and Monitor ProblemsIf the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Check the diagnostic lights See Diagnostic LightsSystem Board Screws System BoardRemoving the System Board Replacing the System BoardBack to Contents Models Dcsm and Dcne September 2006 P/N JK524 Rev. A01 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Troubleshooting Tools and UtilitiesDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsOption Function Dell Diagnostics Main MenuPower Light Problem Description Suggested Resolution System LightsLight Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Diagnostic LightsCode Cause Beep CodesClick the Change or Remove Program icon Error MessagesOperating system not found Read fault Requested sector not found Reset failed Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Click Performance and Maintenance and click SystemMicrosoft Windows XP Warranty
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