Dell PP20L Lockups and Software Problems, Unexpected characters, Computer does not start up

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TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F

Unexpected characters

D I S A B L E T H E N U M E R I C K E Y P A D — Press <Num Lk> to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.

Lockups and Software Problems

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

The computer does not start up

E N S U R E T H A T T H E AC A D A P T E R I S F I R M L Y C O N N E C T E D T O T H E C O M P U T E R A N D T O T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T

The computer stops responding

NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.

— If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. Then restart your computer.

A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly

E N D T H E P R O G R A M —

1Press <Crtl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously.

2Click the Applications tab and select the program that is no longer responding.

3Click End Task.

NOTE: The chkdsk program may run when you restart the computer. Follow the instructions on the screen.

C H E C K T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I O N — If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program. Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD.

A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system

R U N T H E P R O G R A M C O M P A T I B I L I T Y W I Z A R D — The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so it runs in an environment similar to non-Windows XP operating system environments.

1Click the Start button, point to Programs→Accessories, and then click Program Compatibility Wizard.

2In the welcome screen, click Next.

3Follow the instructions on the screen.

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 Dell Inspiron 6400/E1505Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Configuring Power Management SettingsComposite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Double- Clicking the Dell Support Icon Connecting to a Mobile Broadband NetworkWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection What You Need to Establish a Mobile BroadbandProgram stops responding or crashes repeatedly Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network WwanEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer If only part of the display is readable Contents129 109164 131132 163Contents Support.dell.com Finding InformationThese labels are located on the bottom of your computer What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Enter your Service Tag or product modelConfiguration Click the topic that describes your problemYour operating system Microsoft Windows System Restore MicrosoftEarlier operating state without affecting data files Ship with your computerAbout Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s ConfigurationAbout Your Computer Front View W E R B U T T O N About Your Computer Y B O a R D a N D W I R E L E S S S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View Right Side View Back View Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor Bottom View Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your ComputerConnecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet ConnectionTransferring Information to a New Computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Connecting a USB Printer Setting Up a PrinterPrinter Cable Surge Protectors Power Protection DevicesLine Conditioners Uninterruptible Power SuppliesSetting Up Your Computer Setting Display Resolution Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Switching the Video ImageUsing the Display Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Display Functions Power ManagementKey Combinations System FunctionsOpens the Search Results-Computer dialog box Adjusting Keyboard SettingsMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions QuickSet Key CombinationsCustomizing the Touch Pad Touch PadBattery Performance Using a BatteryUsing a Battery Check the Battery Charge Checking the Battery ChargeDell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power MeterCheck the Battery Health Conserving Battery PowerLow-Battery Warning Power Management ModesHibernate Mode Replacing the Battery Charging the BatteryConfiguring Power Management Settings Storing a Battery Using Multimedia Using MultimediaPlaying CDs or DVDs Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVDDVD-Writable Drives Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDsHelpful Tips CD-Writable Drives Media Type Read Write RewritableAdjusting the Volume If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode Adjusting the PictureUsing Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect If the computer is turned on or in standby modeDell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio DeviceUsing Multimedia Video and Standard Audio Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Video cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Pdif digital audio cable Component Video and Standard Audio Using Multimedia Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Component video adapter 2 S/PDIF digital audio cable Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Setting Up the Cyberlink CL HeadphonesEnabling the Display Settings for a TV Using Multimedia ExpressCards Using CardsInstalling an ExpressCard Using CardsRemoving an ExpressCard or Blank Media Memory Cards Installing a Media Memory CardRemoving a Media Memory Card Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Setting Up a NetworkSetting Up a Network What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Network Setup WizardWireless Local Area Network Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network CardSetting Up a New Wlan Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Completing the Connection to the Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device ManagerEnabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WwanConnecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Setting Up a Network Securing Your Computer PasswordsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable LockIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking SoftwareStarting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Solving ProblemsDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsOption Function Tab Function Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Accessing the Dell Support UtilityDell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support IconCD and DVD drive problems Drive ProblemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Hard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Error Messages Characters in filenames Solving Problems Page Manufacturer ExpressCard ProblemsIeee 1394 Device Problems Windows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listedExternal Keyboard problems Keyboard ProblemsComputer stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer does not start upOther software problems Dell MediaDirect problemsSolid blue screen appears Network Problems Memory ProblemsCommunication exists. Replace the network cable Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Power ProblemsEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Printer ProblemsScanner Problems No sound from integrated speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from external speakers Video and Display Problems Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsIf the display is blank If only part of the display is readable What Is a Driver?Drivers If the display is difficult to readUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesIdentifying Drivers Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs Using the Drivers and Utilities CD101 Restoring Your Operating System Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities102 103 Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore104 Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec105 106 Using the Operating System CDReinstalling Windows XP Before You Begin107 108 Recommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsAdding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin110 Before Working Inside Your Computer111 Optical Drive112 Hard Drive113 Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory115 116 117 Modem118 Hinge Cover119 Keyboard120 121 Wireless Mini-Card122 Install the replacement Mini-Card123 Coin-Cell Battery 125 Display126 Lift the display up and away from the computer127 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology128 Dell QuickSet Features Dell QuickSet Features130 131 Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the ComputerTraveling by Air Travel Tips133 Contacting DellContacting Dell 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 Called from within Singapore or Malaysia only 148Website support.ap.dell.com 149 150 151 152 Printers, and Projectors for Relationship153 154 155 SpecificationsMemory Ports and Connectors156 In-1 Media Memory Card ReaderAudio 157Communications VideoDisplay 158Touch Pad Battery159 KeyboardAC Adapter 160Physical Environmental 161162 Appendix Using the System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screen System Setup ScreenPerforming a One-Time Boot Changing the Boot SequenceCommonly Used Options 165 Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad166 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyFloppy Drive CDs and DVDsFCC Class B Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsFCC Notice U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals168 Macrovision Product Notice169 GlossaryGlossary 170 Device driver See driver 171Docking device See APR 172 173 174 NIC See network adapter 175176 System tray See notification area 177178 Video resolution See resolution179 180 181 IndexIndex 182 See also hard drive See also optical drive183 184 185 186

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