Dell 2300C manual What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers

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

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

If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and if necessary, to update the driver.

Identifying Drivers

1Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System.

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

5Click Device Manager.

6In the Device Manager window, 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.

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Advanced Troubleshooting

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Contents Dell Dimension 2300C Hints, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and AcronymsContents Solving Problems Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsDiagnostic Lights Using System RestoreIf the screen is difficult to read Front and Back View of the ComputerAppendix General W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m When Using Your Computer When Working Inside Your Computer Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Ergonomic Computing HabitsBattery Disposal Finding Information for Your Computer What Are You Looking For? Find it HereP r e s s S e r v i c e code a n d P r o d u c t Ke y T u p D i a g r a m Finding Information for Your Computer Setting Up and Using Your Computer Connecting the AC Adapter Attaching and Removing the Computer Stand Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer Connecting a Parallel PrinterPrinter Cable Connecting a USB Printer Connecting an Ieee 1394 Device Optional Ieee 1394 connector Ieee 1394 cable Transferring Information to a New ComputerSetting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network AdapterNetwork Setup Wizard Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet ConnectionClick Set up or change your Internet connection Copying CDsUsing Easy CD Creator Basic Using Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW Discs Helpful TipsHow to Copy a CD Support.roxio.comTurning Off the Computer Click Turn offSetting Up and Using Your Computer Solving Problems Finding Solutions SeeSolving Problems Battery Problems Finding Help InformationDrive Problems CD drive problemsProblems writing to a CD-RW drive DVD drive problems Hard drive problemsMail, Modem, and Internet Problems Click Phone and Modem OptionsClick the Start button, and then click Control Panel Error Messages Click the Change or Remove Program iconGeneral Problems Program stops respondingProgram crashes repeatedly Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating systemOther software problems Solid blue screen appearsOther technical problems General hardware problemsIeee 1394 Problems Keyboard ProblemsMouse Problems CH E C K T H E M O U S E C a B L E Network Problems LightlightPC Card Problems Power ProblemsSolving Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other HardwareSound and Speaker Problems Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blankIf the screen is difficult to read Solving Problems Advanced Troubleshooting Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Code Definition Corrective ActionY Y What Is a Driver? DriversIdentifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver RollbackUsing System Restore Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCDCreating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateUndoing the Last System Restore Resolving Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesReinstalling Microsoft Windows XP Before You ReinstallReinstalling Windows XP Preparing to Boot From the Operating System CD Completing the GUI Setup Completing the Operating System Setup Adding Parts Front and Back View of the Computer Front ViewComputer to unexpectedly restart Back View Reattaching the Front Door Opening the Computer Cover Cable security tab Release buttons One on each side Back of computerLooking Inside Your Computer CD or DVD drive Hard drive System boardCard slots System Board Installing a PC Card Adding PC Cards OptionalPC Card Types Removing a PC Card Press the eject button, and gently remove the cardAdding Other Cards Adding Parts Adding Memory To microprocessor Closing the Computer Cover P e n d i Specifications MicroprocessorSystem Information Expansion BusPorts and Connectors MemoryDrives Power AudioControls and Lights Physical EnvironmentalStandard Settings Viewing Settings System Setup Program ScreensClearing Forgotten Passwords Replacing the Battery Battery Dell Technical Support PolicyContacting Dell Japan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.comRegulatory Information D ex Index Index 100