Dell A860, A840 manual Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance, Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on

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Getting Help

Obtaining Assistance

CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer cover, first disconnect the computer power and modem cables from all electrical outlets. Follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.

If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem:

1See "Troubleshooting Tips" on page 44 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing.

2See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics.

3Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 68.

Getting Help

4Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support (support.dell.com) for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures. See "Online Services" on page 64 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online.

5If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 69.

NOTE: Call Dell Support from a telephone at or near the affected computer so that the support staff can assist you with any necessary procedures.

NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries.

When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you do not have an Express Service Code, open

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Contents Vostro A840/A860 Setup Quick Reference Guide Macrovision Product Notice Contents Obtaining Assistance Dell Support Center Reinstalling SoftwareRestoring Your Operating System Finding InformationIndex Contents Front View About Your ComputerRight View Attach headphones to the connector Attach a microphone toD E M C O N N E C T O R RJ Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabledUSB C O N N E C T O R S Left ViewConnects video devices, such as a monitor Battery Removal To remove the battery Ensure that the computer is turned off About Your Computer Quick Setup Quick SetupConnect the AC adapter to the AC adapter Setting Up Your Internet Connection Connecting to the InternetChoose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up modem or Isdn Microsoft Windows Vista Operating SystemTransferring Information to a New Computer Quick Setup Specifications DDR2 Sodimm 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB GB capable Memory typeUSB Video Hole connector Ieee Pin miniInternal Wlan and Bluetooth wireless In-1 combo card connectorConnector Cards supported WirelessIntegrated on system board, hardware Microphone-in connector, stereoHeadphones/speakers connector Video Vostro A840 Vostro A860 Video type320 mm 12.6 inches 359.3 mm 14.14 inches Active area X/Y 303.36 x 344.23 x DimensionsAudio Vostro A840 Vostro A860 Speaker One 4-ohm speaker 206 mm 8.11 inches 209.5 mm 8.24 inchesMax with no inverter losses 15/30 Pixel pitch 2373 255 Power ConsumptionDisplay Vostro A840 Vostro A860 Viewing angles 40/4053.4 mm 2.10 inches Touch Pad Vostro A840 Vostro A860240 cpi SizeTo 35C 32 to 95F 40 to 65C -40 to 149F Coin-cell battery CR-2032+/-1.0 VDC Continuous Output power 65 W Rated output voltage137.2 mm 5.4 inches Weight with cables Kg 0.9 lb Input frequency 50-60 Hz Output currentAC Adapter Vostro A840 Physical Vostro A840 Vostro A860 Height03 kg 4.47 lb 46 kg 5.42 lb 163 G Airborne containment level G2 or lower as defined by Spectrum that simulates user environmentGrms 110 GError Messages TroubleshootingT E N D E D M E M O R Y S I Z E H a S Do not use these characters in filenamesHARD-DISK Drive Controller Failure Y B O a R D C L O C K L I N E F a I L U R E For Troubleshooting Optional ROM has failed. Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on Try again System Messages A.R.T error, possible hard drive failure Troubleshooting Software and Hardware ProblemsStarting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsShut down and restart the computer Insert the Drivers and Utilities mediaTroubleshooting Tips Power ProblemsFollow these tips when troubleshooting your computer T H E P O W E R L I G H T I S B L I N K I N G Ensure that the display is connected and powered onMemory Problems Lockups and Software Problems Computer does not start up Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics onComputer stops responding Program stops responding Program crashes repeatedlySolid blue screen appears Other software problems Dell Technical Update ServiceDell Support Center Alerts technical support alerts relevant to your computer Identifying Drivers Reinstalling SoftwareReinstalling Drivers and Utilities DriversClick the Drivers tab→ Roll Back Driver Using the Drivers and Utilities MediaManually Reinstalling Drivers Using Microsoft Windows System Restore You can restore your operating system in the following waysRestoring Your Operating System Click Undo my last restoration and click Next Using the Operating System MediaClick Start Click Next and follow the remaining prompts on the screenReinstalling Windows Reinstalling Software Reinstalling Software Computer Drivers and Utilities Media Document/Media/Label ContentsCode Service Tag/Express Finding InformationHave shipped with your CD or DVD that may have Shipped with your computerSupport Documentation This type of information mayAvailable at support.dell.com Document/Media/Label Contents Dell Technology GuideFinding Information Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on Getting HelpObtaining Assistance Online Services Technical Support and Customer ServiceAutoTech Service Product Information Problems With Your OrderReturning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Automated Order-Status ServiceBefore You Call Remember to fill out the Diagnostics ChecklistGetting Help Contacting Dell Getting Help Index License label Media Drivers and Utilities Service Tag Setup Power light conditions, 44 program crashes Windows Vista Program Compatibility wizard Wizards Warranty information Windows License labelIndex