Dell MTC2, G7279, DMC manual What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers, Reinstalling Drivers

Page 45

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

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.

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.

•Reinstall your operating system.

•Connect or install a new device.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.

Windows XP

1Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3Click System.

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

5Click Device Manager.

6Scroll 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 (see page 45).

Reinstalling Drivers

NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com provides approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

Advanced Troubleshooting

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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 Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsUsing Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Advanced TroubleshootingResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Adding or Replacing a Second Hard DriveAppendix Safety Instructions Safety InstructionsW . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Microsoft Windows License Label Finding Information for Your ComputerSupport questions Downloads Drivers, patches, and software updatesOnline courses Technical supportConnecting a Parallel Printer Setting Up a PrinterSetting Up and Using Your Computer Printer CableConnecting a USB Printer Parallel connector on computerScrews Clips Parallel printer Cable Notches Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network AdapterUSB connector on computer Network Setup Wizard Connecting to the InternetClick Checklist for creating a network Network wall jack Network cableSetting Up Your Internet Connection Click Connect to the InternetIf you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs How to Copy a CD or DVDCopying CDs and DVDs Click Exact CopyHyper-Threading Helpful TipsClick Hardware and click Device Manager Booting to a USB Device Turning Off Your ComputerTurn Off Computer Turn off computer window, click Turn off Solving Problems Finding SolutionsW . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m See Drive Problems Battery ProblemsFloppy drive problems Finding Help InformationBack of floppy disk Write-protected Not write- protected CD drive problemsDVD drive problems Problems writing to a CD-RW driveHard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsError Messages Computer stops responding General ProblemsProgram stops responding Other software problemsProgram crashes repeatedly Solid blue screen appearsGeneral hardware problems Other technical problemsIeee 1394 Device Problems Mouse Problems Keyboard ProblemsNetwork Problems Power Problems Network integritySpeed light Printer Problems Scanner Problems No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsVideo and Monitor Problems No sound from headphonesIf the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Solving Problems Diagnostic Lights Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested ResolutionAdvanced Troubleshooting Error Identified a faulty module orIf available, install properly If the problem persists, contactDifferent connector and restart If the problem persists orYou have identified a faulty Connector or reinstalled allThat you are installing are Connector placementMemory module/memory Requirements seeStarting the Dell Diagnostics Dell DiagnosticsDell Diagnostics Main Menu Option FunctionTab Function Reinstalling Drivers What Is a Driver?Drivers Identifying DriversManually Reinstalling Drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver RollbackRestoring Your Operating System Click Roll Back DriverCreating a Restore Point Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreClick System Restore Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateUsing Dell PC Restore by Symantec Click Performance and Maintenance Enabling System RestoreClick the System Restore tab Click Performance and Maintenance and click SystemAdvanced Troubleshooting Front and Back View of the Computer Front ViewOn computers with an optional floppy drive Adding Parts Computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown Back View Network jack Guide Removing the Computer CoverComputer cover Cover latch Back of computer Looking Inside Your Computer System Board Securing screw Filler bracket Adding CardsCard Card cutout CrossbarNot fully seated card Fully seated card Bracket Adding or Replacing the AGP Card Notch Lever Tab Card clip AGP connector Installing an AGP CardPCI connector AGP card Card clip lever Slot connectorAdding or Replacing a Second Hard Drive Existing hard drive ScrewsDrive bracket Drive bracket Adding a Floppy Drive Side hinges Front panel Top tab Middle tabBottom tab Tabs Insert Top bracket screw Drive bracket Floppy drive Side hinges Front panel Adding a Second CD or DVD Drive Bottom tab Adding Parts Drive Alignment screws Insert TabsDrive Securing screw Side hinges Front panel Memory Installation Guidelines Adding MemoryDDR Memory Overview Installing Memory Notch Securing clips ConnectorReplacing the Computer Cover System Information SpecificationsExpansion Bus AppendixMemory Ports and ConnectorsOther factors DrivesVideo PowerAudio NetworkSystem Setup OverviewEnvironmental Viewing Settings System Setup ScreensKeys Action Boot Sequence Option SettingsChanging Boot Sequence for the Current Boot Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots Clearing Forgotten PasswordsReplacing the Battery Battery Battery socket Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsFCC Notices U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and PeripheralsClass a Class B FCC Identification Information Contacting DellAppendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Area Codes Local Numbers, Toll-Free Numbers Appendix 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 Index 107 IndexIndex Help files accessing, 9 Compatibility, 27 restore to previous operating108 Index Wizard, 27 reinstalling, 47 scanner, 34 System Restore Wizards Program Compatibility WizardIndex 109 Index 110