Dell 9300 owner manual Lockups and Software Problems, Unexpected characters

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C H E C K T H E K E Y B O A R D C A B L E Shut down the computer. Disconnect the keyboard cable and check it for damage, and firmly reconnect the cable.

If you are using a keyboard extension cable, disconnect it and connect the keyboard directly to the computer.

C H E C K T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D

1 Shut down the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again.

2 Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink during the boot routine. 3 From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to All ProgramsAccessories, and click

Notepad.

4 Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display.

If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external keyboard.

TO V E R I F Y T H A T T H E P R O B L E M I S W I T H T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D , C H E C K T H E I N T E G R A T E D K E Y B O A R D

1 Shut down the computer.

2 Disconnect the external keyboard.

3 Turn on the computer.

4 From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to All ProgramsAccessories, and click Notepad.

5 Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display.

If the characters appear now but did not with the external keyboard, you may have a defective external keyboard. Contact Dell. See "Contacting Dell" on page 108.

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.

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 InspironAbbreviations and Acronyms Contents Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio DeviceEnabling the Display Settings for a TV Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions ContentsConnecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Connecting to a Wireless Local Area NetworkUsing Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities ContentsIf only part of the display is readable 106 Adding and Replacing PartsInternal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 105127 126How to use standby mode and hibernate mode What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Warranty informationTips on using Microsoft Windows How to play CDs and DVDsService Tag and Microsoft Windows License At premier.support.dell.com. The website may not be Order status, warranty, and repair informationUpdates What Are You Looking For? Find It HereClick the topic that describes your problem Click the arrow iconFollow the instructions on the screen Speakers Tour of Your ComputerFront View Keyboard Touch pad ButtonsV I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S Tour of Your Computer Y B O a R D S T a T U S L I G H T S Air vent Optical drive Security cable slot USB connectors Left Side ViewEject button Right Side View Secure Digital I/O slot Air vent PC Card slotHard drive Back View Air vent USB connectors Video TV-out connectorD E O C O N N E C T O R Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer Hard drive Air vent Memory module cover Subwoofer Battery charge gauge Optical-drive locking screwBattery Bottom ViewSetting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your ComputerConnecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet ConnectionSetting Up a Printer Printer CableNext window, click the appropriate option Power Protection Devices Connecting a USB PrinterUSB connector on computer Uninterruptible Power Supplies Surge ProtectorsLine Conditioners Using a Battery Battery PerformanceUsing a Battery Checking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery MeterMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge Charging the BatteryRemoving a Battery Low-Battery WarningStoring a Battery Installing a BatteryUsing CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Using CDs, DVDs, and Other MultimediaUsing CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVDHelpful Tips Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWsUsing MediaDirect Video TV-out TV/digital audio Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio DeviceConnector Adapter cable ConnectorVideo cable Video and Standard AudioVideo and S/PDIF Digital Audio Pdif digital audio cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Changing Your Audio Settings Enabling the Display Settings for a TVClick DVD Click the Settings tab and click Advanced Numeric keypad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadUsing the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric KeypadKey Combinations Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Speaker FunctionsCustomizing the Touch Pad Touch PadPC Card Blanks Using PC CardsInstalling a PC Card PC Card TypesRemoving a PC Card or Blank Using PC Cards Using PC Cards Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network AdapterSetting Up a Home and Office Network On the welcome screen, click Next Network Setup WizardConnecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining Your Network TypeConnecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Setting Up a Home and Office Network Solving Problems Solving ProblemsDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsOption Function Tab Function Drive ProblemsProblems writing to a DVD+RW drive DVD drive problemsHard drive problems If you cannot eject the DVD or DVD+RW drive trayIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Error Messages Ieee 1394 Device Problems Keyboard ProblemsExternal keyboard problems Lockups and Software Problems Unexpected charactersShut down the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again Program crashes repeatedly Computer does not start upComputer stops responding Program stops respondingSolid blue screen appears Other software problemsNetwork Problems Memory ProblemsPower Problems PC Card ProblemsPrinter Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from integrated speakersNo sound from external speakers No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsIf the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsIf only part of the display is readable If the display is difficult to readIdentifying Drivers What Is a Driver?Reinstalling Drivers DriversUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Restoring Your Operating SystemClick the Hardware tab and click Device Manager Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec To use PC Restore Before You Begin Using the Operating System CDResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Turning Off Your Computer Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Recommended ToolsBefore Working Inside Your Computer Hard Drive Battery-bay latch releaseScrews Hard drive Returning a Hard Drive to DellMemory Memory module Securing clips Notch Adding and Replacing PartsAdding and Replacing Parts Modem Mini PCI Card Modem cableScrew Modem Antenna cables Mini PCI cardTabs Antenna cables Adding and Replacing Parts Hinge Cover Hinge cover KeyboardCoin-Cell Battery Display Release latch Coin-cell battery Battery cable connectorAntenna cables Display cable connector Optical drive Notch Optical-drive security screw Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless TechnologyOptical Drive Slide the drive out of the bayCover Card Cable Appendix Specifications100 101 VideoControl buttons 102 103 Reduced under certain power-intensiveConditions. See Power Problems on Information on battery life104 105 Using the System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screens Overview106 System Setup ScreenChanging the Boot Sequence Commonly Used Options107 Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsPerforming a One-Time Boot Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyContacting Dell Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals108 Mail Australia autechsupport@dell.com 109110 International Access Code Country Code City Code111 112 General Support 01-899-753-0777 113114 International Access Code Country Code115 Sales dial within U.K. only City Code Technical Support Customer Care Fax Switchboard116 Ireland Sales117 118 General Support 001-800-882-1519 119General Support 0800-50-669 120General Support 001-800-220-1006 General Support 001-800-507-0962Corporate Sales Toll-free 1 800 394 Fax 02 5441 Tech Fax Switchboard Sales Appendix121 Fax 21 424 01Sales Penang, Malaysia International Access Code Mail dellzasupport@dell.com122 Gold Queue123 PowerConnect, and PowerVault Customer Care124 125 Class a Class B FCC Notices U.S. OnlyMacrovision Product Notice FCC Identification Information127 Appendix Index 129Index See hard drive See display130 131 132
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