Dell Dimension 4300 If you cannot play a DVD movie, If the CD-RW drive stops writing

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If you cannot play a music CD or install a program from a CD

HINT: High-speed CD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise. This does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD.

Ensure that Windows recognizes the drive— In Windows XP, click the Start button, and then click My Computer. In Windows Me and Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop. If the CD drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.

Test the drive with another CD— Insert another CD to eliminate the possibility that the original CD is defective.

Clean the disc— See the Tell Me How help file for instructions.

Adjust the Windows volume control— In Windows XP, click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. In Windows Me or 2000, double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Be sure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

If headphones are connected to the front-panel headphone jack, check for sound from the headphones— Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the computer's front-panel headphone jack.

Check the speakers and subwoofer— See "Sound and Speaker Problems."

If you cannot play a DVD movie

HINT: Because of different worldwide file types, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives.

Adjust the Windows volume control— In Windows XP, click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. In Windows Me or 2000, double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Be sure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

Test the drive with another DVD— Insert another DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original DVD is defective.

Clean the disc— See the Tell Me How help file for instructions.

If the CD-RW drive stops writing

HINT: If you disable standby mode to write to a CD-RW drive, remember to reenable standby mode when you finish writing to the CD.

Turn off Standby in Windows before writing to a CD-RW disc— See the Tell Me How help file or search for the keyword standby in Help and Support (Help in Windows Me and Windows 2000). See "Accessing Help Files."

Change the write speed to a slower rate— The CD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Closing all programs before writing to the CD-RW may also alleviate the problem.

If you have a hard drive problem

Run ScanDisk

Windows XP and Windows 2000

1.In Windows XP click the Start button, and then click My Computer. In Windows 2000 double-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop.

2.Right-click the drive letter (local disk) that you want to scan for errors, and then click Properties.

3.Click the Tools tab.

4.Under Error-checking, click Check Now.

5.Click Start.

Windows Me

1.Click the Start button, point to Programs—> Accessories—> System Tools, and then click ScanDisk.

Check for interrupt request conflicts— See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities."

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Contents Dell Dimension Hints, Notices, and CautionsAbbreviations and Acronyms Diagnostic Codes Diagnostic Code Definition Corrective ActionSystem Codes and Messages Beep Codes Possible Cause Corrective Action Post Beep CodesSystem Messages Message Possible Cause Corrective ActionPost Online Documentation DocumentationPrinted Documentation Downloading the Tell Me How Help File and Associated FilesWhen Working Inside Your Computer Safety InstructionsWhen Using Your Computer Adding PartsShutting Down the Computer Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge ArmsReattaching the Hinge Arms Opening the Computer Cover Adding Cards Open the computer coverRemoving Cards Close the computer coverAdding Memory Replacing an AGP Card Adding a Second Hard Drive Adding Other Drives Inch DevicesShut down the computer Inch Devices Replacing the Microprocessor Page Installing the Microprocessor Replacing the Power Supply Removing the Power SupplyRemoving the Front I/O Panel Replacing the Power Supply Replacing the System BoardRemoving the System Board Closing the Computer Cover Replacing the System BoardPage Solving Problems Accessing Help FilesPower Problems Adjust the Windows display settings Start-Up Error MessagesVideo and Monitor Problems If the screen is blankIf you cannot print to a parallel port printer Sound and Speaker ProblemsPrinter Problems If you cannot print to a USB printerVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Scanner ProblemsModem Problems Control Panel, double-clickPhone and Modem OptionsDrive Problems Mouse ProblemsKeyboard Problems Check the mouse settingsIf you cannot play a DVD movie If you have a hard drive problemUnder Error-checking, click Check Now If the CD-RW drive stops writingNetwork Problems Microsoft Windows Error MessagesGeneral Program Problems Internet Connection Problems Mail ProblemsResolving Other Technical Problems At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next Reinstalling DriversUsing the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Click PropertiesWindows Me Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click SystemResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities WindowsClick Performance and Maintenance Using System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Click the System Restore tabClick Create a restore point Reinstalling Windows XPUndoing the Last System Restore Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateReinstalling Windows Me Click Next in the Welcome to Windows Me windowReinstalling Windows Click I accept the Agreement, and then click NextBack to Contents Technical Specifications SpecificationsVideo PowerAudio3 Controls and LightsPage System Setup Program Screens System Setup ProgramViewing Settings OverviewOption Function Clearing Forgotten Passwords PXE BISInternal View System Board Connectors and Sockets Technical OverviewPower Supply Socketed MicroprocessorDC Power Connectors Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG WireDC Power Connector P2 DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P6, P8, and P9DC Power Connector P7 Pin Number Signal Name 22-AWG Wire IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell-Installed DrivesPlacement of Dell-Installed Cards IDE Channel IDE Connector Location Dell Installed DriveControls and Lights Front ViewBack View Windows LabelSerial Connector Hints, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms