Dell PP01X owner manual What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers

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w w w . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m

If the computer does not start, or if you cannot identify the damaged components, contact Dell (see page 124).

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 the programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.

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.

•You reinstall your operating system.

•You connect or install a new device.

If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and to update the driver, if necessary.

Identifying Drivers

1Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System.

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

5Click Device Manager.

6In the Device Manager window, 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.

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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 Hints, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and AcronymsContents Setting Up Your Internet Connection Using Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW DiscsConnecting a Television to the Computer Customizing the Touch Pad and Track StickModem and Internet Connection Problems Uninterruptible Power Supply DevicesEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Resolving Other Technical Problems If You Drop or Damage Your ComputerReinstalling Microsoft Windows XP Reinstalling Drivers and Software 102Viewing the System Setup Screens 119 Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only 148 Contents153 155General Power Battery Air Travel EMC InstructionsWhen Using Your Computer When Using Your ComputerWhen Working Inside Your Computer Battery Disposal Protecting Against Electrostatic DischargeErgonomic Computing Habits When Using Your Computer When Using Your Computer Setting Up and Using Your Computer Turning Off the Computer About the Module BayFront View Setting Up and Using Your ComputerTour of Your Computer Light is flashing W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Setting Up and Using Your Computer Left Side View VI D E O TV- OU T CO N N E C T O R NE T W O R K CO N N E C T O R Right Side View Infrared sensor Back View PS/2 connector Docking connector PS/2 CO N N E C T O R Hint Docking devices may not be available in all countries Bottom View Modem cover Docking device latchPrinter Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a Parallel Printer Connecting a USB Printer USB connector on the computer Setting Up a Home and Office Network With Windows XP Connecting to the InternetSetting Up Your Internet Connection Your ISPCopying CDs Helpful Tips Using Easy CD Creator BasicUsing Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW Discs How to Copy a CD Swapping Devices While the Computer Is Turned Off Turning Off the ComputerAbout the Module Bay Bottom of computer Device Latch release Swapping Devices While the Computer Is Running Using the Keyboard and Touch PadDell AccessDirect Buttons Button Functions Reprogramming the ButtonsNumeric Keypad Numeric keypadPower Management Keyboard ShortcutsSystem Functions Display FunctionsMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick CapEnabling the Infrared Sensor Connecting a Television to the Computer Video TV-out connector TV/digital audio adapter cable Video and Standard Audio Setting Up and Using Your Computer Video and Digital Audio Setting Up and Using Your Computer Composite Video and Standard Audio Setting Up and Using Your Computer Composite Video and Digital Audio Enabling the Display Settings for a Television Nvidia Video ControllerUsing S/PDIF Digital Audio ATI Video ControllerSetting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up the Dolby Headphone Click the Dolby Headphone tab Click Enable Dolby HeadphoneSetting Up the Docking Device to Connect to a Network Power Protection DevicesLine Conditioners Uninterruptible Power Supply DevicesSurge Protectors Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up and Using Your Computer Resolving Other Technical Problems If Your Computer Gets Wet If You Drop or Damage Your Computer DriversFinding Solutions Solving ProblemsSolving Problems Accessing Help Power ProblemsEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Start-Up Error Messages Docking Power ConsiderationsAC Power Loss While the Computer Is Docked Docking While the Computer Is RunningVideo and Display Problems If the display is blankClick Appearance and Themes If the display is difficult to readIf only part of the display is readable If you have a problem with external speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsIf you have a problem with integrated speakers Printer Problems Modem and Internet Connection Problems Click Phone and Modem Options Scanner ProblemsClose the Phone and Modems Options window Touch Pad or Mouse Problems External Keyboard Problems Unexpected CharactersDrive Problems If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk driveIf you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive tray If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding soundPC Card Problems If you have problems with a hard driveUnder Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start If the CD-RW drive stops writingNetwork Problems Error MessagesClick Control Panel Click Add or Remove Programs Click the Change or Remove Program icon General Program Problems Error messages appear Program crashes Program stops respondingIf Your Computer Gets Wet Mail ProblemsResolving Other Technical Problems If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Identifying Drivers What Is a Driver?Drivers Using the Drivers and Utilities CD Reinstalling DriversUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP Click PropertiesClick Performance and Maintenance and click System Resolving Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesUsing Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Manually Creating the Restore Points Creating a Restore PointUsing the System Restore Wizard Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP Undoing the Last System RestoreBefore You Reinstall Reinstalling Windows XPPreparing to Boot From the Operating System CD Starting Windows XP SetupCompleting the GUI Setup Solving Problems 101102 Solving Problems Reinstalling Drivers and SoftwareCompleting the Operating System Setup Adding and Replacing Parts 104 Adding and Replacing Parts Replacing the Palm RestsAdding Memory 106 Adding and Replacing Parts Adding and Replacing Parts 107 108 Adding and Replacing Parts Replacing the Hard DriveLift the hard drive cover until you feel a click 110 Adding and Replacing Parts Returning a Hard Drive to DellP e n d i Specifications Appendix 113 Ports and ConnectorsCommunications 114 Appendix VideoAudio Appendix 115 DisplayKeyboard Battery Touch PadTrack Stick 116 AppendixAppendix 117 AC AdapterPhysical Environmental 118 AppendixSystem Setup Overview Viewing the System Setup ScreensSystem Setup Screens Appendix 119Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot Sequence 120 AppendixDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Changing Printer ModesChanging COM Ports Appendix 121122 Appendix Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Appendix 123Contacting Dell AnguillaAntigua and Barbuda Argentina Buenos AiresAustralia Sydney Austria Vienna Website support.euro.dell.comBahamas BarbadosBermuda BoliviaBrazil British Virgin IslandsChina Xiamen ColombiaCosta Rica Czech Republic Prague Website support.euro.dell.comDenmark Copenhagen Website support.euro.dell.com DominicaDominican Republic EcuadorFrance Paris Montpellier Website support.euro.dell.com Home and Small BusinessCorporate Germany Langen Website support.euro.dell.comHong Kong IndiaIreland Cherrywood Website support.euro.dell.com 130 AppendixAppendix 131 Italy Milan Website support.euro.dell.comJamaica 132 Appendix Japan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.comKorea Seoul Latin America Luxembourg Website support.euro.dell.comMacao Malaysia PenangMexico MontserratNetherlands Antilles Netherlands Amsterdam Website support.euro.dell.comNorway Lysaker Website support.euro.dell.com PanamaPeru Poland Warsaw Website support.euro.dell.comPuerto Rico St. Kitts and NevisSt. Lucia St. Vincent and the GrenadinesSweden Upplands Vasby Website support.euro.dell.com Switzerland Geneva Website support.euro.dell.comTaiwan Appendix 137Dell.co.uk/lca/customerservices ThailandTrinidad/Tobago Turks and Caicos IslandsAppendix 139 A. Austin, TexasBusiness Regulatory Notices Virgin IslandsVenezuela 140 AppendixAppendix 141 NOM Information Mexico Only 142 AppendixCE Mark Notice Appendix 143Appendix Limited Warranty for the U.S What is covered by this limited warranty?What is not covered by this limited warranty? Limited Warranties and Return PolicyHow long does this limited warranty last? What do I do if I need warranty service?What will Dell do? 146 AppendixAppendix 147 What if I purchased a service contract?How will you fix my product? May I transfer the limited warranty? Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. OnlyWhat do I do if I am not satisfied? 148 AppendixLimited Warranty Terms for Canada Appendix 149150 Appendix Appendix 151 Total Satisfaction Return Policy 152 AppendixDell Software and Peripherals Third-Party Software and Peripherals ProductsDell-Branded Peripheral Products Return PolicyGuarantee ExclusionsMaking a Claim Limitation and Statutory RightsAppendix 155 Appendix D ex Index 157158 Index Index 159 160 Index Dell Information Development Dell Confidential

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