Dell 1000 Lockups and Software Problems

50 Solving Problems

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Unexpected Characters

Lockups and Software Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide.

The computer does not start up

The computer stops responding

NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.

TO VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD, CHECK THE INTEGRATED

KEYBOARD —

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

Programs

, point to

Accessories

, 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 page92).

DISABLE THE NUMERIC KEYPAD —Press <Num Lk> to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are

displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.

ENSURE THAT THE AC ADAPTER IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

TURN THE COMPUTER OFF —If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or

moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer

turns off. Then restart your computer.

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents 1 About Your Computer 2 Setting Up Your Computer 3 Using a Battery 4 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 5 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 6 Using PC Cards 7 Setting Up a Network 8 Removing the Hard Drive 9 Solving Problems 10 Appendix Page Page Finding Information 10 NOTE: Page Page About Your Computer Front View Page Page 16 Left Side View "Using PC Cards" on page35. Right Side View Back View 18 Page 20 Bottom View Stores software and data. Releases the battery. Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable Connecting a USB Printer Power Protection Devices Surge Protectors Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power Supplies Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Low-Battery Warning Charging the Battery Recalibrating a Battery Page Page Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Using CDs and DVDs Copying CDs How to Copy a CD Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Helpful Tips Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad 32 Key Combinations System Functions Display Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Speaker Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Page Using PC Cards PC Card Types Extended PC Cards Installing a PC Card Removing a PC Card Setting Up a Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard Removing the Hard Drive Before You Begin Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Hard Drive Page Page Solving Problems Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Page Drive Problems CD and DVD drive problems 46 If you there is no audio If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Hard drive problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Page 48 Error Messages Keyboard Problems External Keyboard Problems 50 Unexpected Characters Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start up The computer stops responding Slow computer performance or problems connecting to the Internet A program stops responding A solid blue screen appears A program crashes repeatedly A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Memory Problems Network Problems PC Card Problems Power Problems 54 NOTE: Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Page Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Page Page Appendix Specifications Page Page Page Page Using the System Setup Program Overview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S.Only) Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals Contacting Dell Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Macrovision Product Notice FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Page Page Index A B C D F H I K L R S T U V W