Dell D420 specifications Reinstalling Software, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers

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Reinstalling Software

Dell™ Latitude™ D420 User's Guide

Drivers

Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Restoring Your Operating System

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.

NOTICE: The optional Drivers and Utilities CD may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.

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.

1.Click Start→ Control Panel→ System.

2.Click Hardware→ Device Manager.

3.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 (see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities).

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

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

Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.

1.Click Start→ Control Panel→ System.

2.Click Hardware→ Device Manager.

3.Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties.

4.Click Drivers→ Roll Back Driver.

If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver (see Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore).

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Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms Dell Latitude D420 Users GuideDevice status lights About Your ComputerFront View Keyboard and network status lights Fingerprint reader optionalRight View Audio connectorsLeft View Video connector USB connectorsModem connector RJ-11 Network connector RJ-45Bottom View Back to Contents Appendix Cleaning Your ComputerFCC Class B Macrovision Product NoticeFCC Notice U.S. Only Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Using a BatteryBattery Performance Checking the Battery ChargeStandby Mode Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Low-Battery WarningHibernate Mode Configuring Power Management SettingsCharging the Battery Replacing the BatteryStoring a Battery Card Blanks Using CardsInstalling a PC Card or 34-mm ExpressCard Card TypesInstalling a 34-mm Express Card Installing a Smart Card or Secure Digital SD CardInstalling a PC Card Removing a PC Card, 34-mm Express Card, or Blank Back to Contents Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Switching the Video ImageSwapping Primary and Secondary Displays What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Finding InformationSelect Drivers & Downloads and click Go Service Tag and Microsoft Windows LicenseGuides Dell Support Website support.dell.comOperating System CD Glossary Docking device See APR Device driver See driverPage Page NIC See network adapter Page System tray See notification area Video resolution See resolutionBack to Contents Ftp.dell.com Online ServicesGetting Help Obtaining AssistanceSupport Service Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status ServiceAntigua and Barbuda Diagnostics ChecklistBefore You Call Contacting DellWebsite support.euro.dell.com ArubaAustralia Sydney 0011Czech Republic Prague China XiamenColombia Costa RicaGreece France Paris MontpellierCorporate Germany LangenWebsite support.jp.dell.com GeneralItaly Milan JamaicaMontserrat MacaoWebsite support.ap.dell.com Malaysia Penang MexicoSt. Vincent Puerto RicoSt. Kitts and Nevis St. LuciaTrinidad/Tobago Website support.ap.dell.com Taiwan002 Website support.ap.dell.com ThailandVenezuela Virgin IslandsKey Combinations Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Speaker Functions Power ManagementTouch Pad Fingerprint Reader optionalMouse Properties window Changing the Track-Stick CapCustomizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Page Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Setting Up a NetworkPhysically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Network Setup WizardWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Checking Your Wireless Network CardSetting Up a New Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Connecting to a Wireless Local Area NetworkUnder Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System Guides Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WwanEnabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband NetworkInternet Connection Firewall Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network LocatorTurning Off Your Computer Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Recommended ToolsHard Drive Removing the Hard Drive Dismantling the Hard Drive Hinge Cover Replacing the Hard DriveMemory KeyboardPage Mini-Cards Wireless Local Area Network Wlan CardsMobile Broadband Wwan Cards Page Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card Coin-Cell Battery Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless TechnologyBack to Contents Dell QuickSet Security Cable Lock Using Smart CardsPasswords Securing Your ComputerTrusted Platform Module TPM Using a Primary/System PasswordUsing an Administrator Password Using a Hard Drive PasswordActivating the Security Management Software Enabling the TPM FeatureUsing the Security Management Software Security Management SoftwareIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking Software Commonly Used Settings System Setup Program Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup ScreensLocate Fast IR under Onboard Devices Performing a One-Time BootChanging COM Ports Enabling the Infrared SensorPage Drivers Reinstalling SoftwareWhat Is a Driver? Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesClick Start→ Help and Support Using the Drivers and Utilities CDManually Reinstalling Drivers Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesRestoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Undoing the Last System RestoreBefore You Begin Using the Operating System CDEnabling System Restore Reinstalling Windows XPSpecifications Display CommunicationsVideo AudioAC Adapter BatteryEnvironmental PhysicalAbbreviations and Acronyms Transferring Information to a New Computer Start the Files and Settings Transfer WizardClick Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Back to Contents Travel Tips Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the ComputerBack to Contents When to Use the Dell Diagnostics TroubleshootingDell Technical Update Service Dell DiagnosticsOption Function Dell Diagnostics Main MenuClicking the Dell Support Icon Drive ProblemsAccessing the Dell Support Utility Dell Support UtilityIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound CD and DVD drive problemsHard drive problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW driveVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsError Messages Page Click Start→ Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs External Keyboard problems Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsKeyboard Problems Computer stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer does not start upSolid blue screen appears Memory ProblemsNetwork Problems Other software problemsRestart the computer and log on to the network again PC Card or ExpressCard ProblemsWireless Local Area Network Wlan Mobile Broadband NetworkDocking Power Considerations Power ProblemsEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking While the Computer Is Running Printer ProblemsScanner Problems AC Power Loss While the Computer Is DockedNo sound from integrated speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsTouch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from headphonesIf the display is difficult to read Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is blank Connect an external monitor Adjust the Windows display settingsIf only part of the display is readable Click Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes
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