Dell XPS manual Other technical problems, General hardware problems

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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

RESTART THE COMPUTER — Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and then shut down your computer through the Start menu instead of by pressing the power button. Otherwise, you may lose data.

CHECK FOR COMPATIBILITY —

•Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer and that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information.

•If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

ENSURE THAT YOU PROPERLY INSTALLED AND CONFIGURED THE PROGRAM — See the software documentation for information. If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

Other technical problems

GO TO THE DELL SUPPORT WEBSITE — Go to support.dell.com for help with general usage, installation, and troubleshooting questions.The support website offers several different tools to help you, such as Dell Forum—a chat room where you can communicate with other Dell customers about their computers and gain access to technical support through e-mail. See "Dell Support Website" on page 13 for more information about the website. See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 111 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

CALL DELL — If you cannot solve your problem using the Dell Support website or e-mail service, call Dell for technical assistance (see page 112). See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 111 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

General hardware problems

If your computer exhibits one or more of the following symptoms, a device conflict may exist:

•Your computer locks up, particularly while using a specific device.

•A recently added device does not work.

•A sound card emits noise or demonstrates other problems.

•Unintelligible characters print from the printer.

•The mouse pointer does not move or "stutters" when it moves.

•Messages appear stating that the computer is not operating at maximum performance.

•Errors occur and programs crash for no apparent reason.

•Nothing displays on the monitor.

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Solving Problems

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Contents Serial connector Fans Headphone connector Microphone connectorIeee 1394 connector Diagnostic lightsAbbreviations and Acronyms Contents Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Optimizing PerformanceResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreRestoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Removing and Installing Parts Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge110 105109 128Contents Safety General Safety When Using Your Computer Safety When Working Inside Your ComputerSafety Battery Disposal Safety Protecting Against Electrostatic DischargeSafety Ergonomic Computing Habits W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Finding Information for Your Computer How to change my display resolution Drivers for my computer Service Tag and Microsoft Windows LabelResourceCD My computer documentationFinding Information for Your Computer Opening the Drive Door Connecting Two Monitors Using Your ComputerOptional VGA adapter If both monitors have VGA connectorsTV OUT connector DVI white connector If one of the monitors is a television Configuring Graphics CardsSettings and Functions Removing the Graphics Card Driver About Your RAID ConfigurationAbout Serial ATA Drives RAID Level Segment Hard driveTransferring Information to a New Computer SegmentCopying CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips How to Copy a CD or DVDUsing Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Network Setup WizardTurning Off Your Computer Using Your Computer Hyper-Threading Intel Performance Acceleration TechnologyDDR Memory and Processor Front-Side Bus Optimizing PerformanceOverclocking Finding Solutions Solving ProblemsFinding Help Information Floppy drive problems Battery ProblemsDrive Problems CD drive problems Hard drive problems Problems writing to a CD-RW driveDVD drive problems Under Error-checking, click Check NowMail, Modem, and Internet Problems Click the Change or Remove Program icon Error MessagesClick Add or Remove Programs Program stops responding General ProblemsComputer stops responding Solid blue screen appears Other software problemsProgram crashes repeatedly Other technical problems General hardware problemsClick Printers and Other Hardware Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsKeyboard Problems Mouse Problems Simultaneously press CtrlEsc to display the Start menuIntegrity/speed light Network ProblemsNetwork Power Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Click Scanners and CamerasSound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakersIf the screen is blank Video and Monitor ProblemsNo sound from headphones If the screen is difficult to read Click Appearance and ThemesSolving Problems Advanced Troubleshooting Diagnostic LightsLight Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution = yellow = green = off Light Pattern Problem Description Starting the Dell Diagnostics Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the ResourceCDTab Function Dell Diagnostics Main MenuOption Function What Is a Driver? DriversReinstalling Drivers Identifying DriversUsing the ResourceCD Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Click System RestoreUndoing the Last System Restore Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateClick the System Restore tab Enabling System RestoreClick Performance and Maintenance Click Performance and Maintenance and click SystemBooting From the Operating System CD Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPReinstalling Windows XP Before You BeginWindows XP Setup NextAdvanced Troubleshooting Front View Removing and Installing PartsFront and Back View of the Computer Computer. Instead, perform a Microsoft Windows shutdownFront View Doors Open Back View Network or broadband jack Removing and Installing Parts Recommended Tools Precautionary MeasuresBefore You Begin Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Opening the Computer Cover Page Inside View of Your Computer Floppy drive CD/DVD drive Hard driveSystem Board Components MemoryMemory Installation Guidelines DDR Memory OverviewInstalling Memory Notch Memory module Cutouts Crossbar Installing a PCI Card PCI CardsNot fully seated card Fully seated card Bracket Removing a PCI Card Filler bracket Alignment guide Alignment bar Retention armAGP Cards Removing an AGP CardOverview Installing an AGP CardDrives Floppy drive CD/DVD drives Hard drives Hard DriveRemoving a Hard Drive Power cable Tabs Installing a Hard DrivePower cable Tabs IDE hard- drive cable IDE hard drive exampleSystem board Connector Drive Bracket rails ScrewsFloppy Drive Removing a Floppy DriveInstalling a Floppy Drive Tabs Floppy driveTabs Floppy drive Removing a CD/DVD Drive Power cable Tabs CD/DVD drive cable Audio cableCD/DVD Drive Installing a CD/DVD Drive Power cable Tabs CD/DVD drive cable Audio cable Processor Airflow Shroud Removing the Processor Airflow ShroudSide anchor tabs Indentations Bottom anchor tabs Installing the Processor Airflow ShroudTop anchor tabs Installing the Processor ProcessorProcessor socket Removing the Processor Retention module Heat sink processor socket Release tabRelease lever Processor Socket Front PanelRemoving the Front Panel Replacing the Front Panel Drive Door Removing the Drive DoorReplacing the Drive Door Top bracket hinge Bottom bracket hingeHinge tab Door hinges Door bracket Door bracket/door hinge assembly100 Door hingeBattery 101102 BatteryClosing the Computer Cover 103 Cover latch release Security cable slot Padlock ringRemoving and Installing Parts Specifications 105Audio 106Video Expansion Bus107 Controls and LightsPhysical Power108 EnvironmentalSystem Setup Screens Standard SettingsViewing Settings Boot SequenceChanging Boot Sequence for Future Boots Clearing Forgotten PasswordsChanging Boot Sequence for the Current Boot 110Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only 111Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsContacting Dell 112113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 Regulatory Notices 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? 129130 What do I do if I need warranty service?What will Dell do? Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only What if I purchased a service contract?May I transfer the limited warranty? How will you fix my product?132 133 134 Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada Only Dell Software and Peripherals Canada OnlyIntel’s Three Year Limited Warranty 136137 What are Errata?Appendix Index Index 139140 Index Processor Problems Modem problemsHelp file, 14 accessing Index 141 Wizard, 37 reinstalling, 60 scanner, 44 System Restore 142 Index
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