Dell 1150 Solving Problems

Solving Problems 49

Solving Problems

Dell Diagnostics

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

Product Information Guide.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" and run

the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.

NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell.

1

Shut down the computer.

2

If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation

that came with your docking device for instructions.

3

Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

4

Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE: If you cannot see anything on your display, hold down <Fn> and press the computer’s power

button to begin the Dell Diagnostics. The computer automatically runs the

Pre-bootSystem Assessment.

If you wait too long and the Microsoft

®

Windows

®

logo appears, continue to wait until

you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the

Start

menu

and try again.

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents 1 A Tour of Your Computer 2 Setting Up Your Computer 3 Using a Battery 4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 5 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 6 Setting Up a Home and Office Network 7 Solving Problems 8 Adding and Replacing Parts 9 Appendix Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Page Finding Information 10 NOTE: Page A Tour of Your Computer Front View Page Page 16 Left Side View Right Side View 18 Back View 20 Bottom View Page Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Modem and Internet Connection Problems E-Mail Problems Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable Connecting a USB Printer Printer Problems Power Protection Devices Surge Protectors Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power Supplies Turning Off Your Computer Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Power Meter Low-Battery Warning Charging the Battery Page 32 If the battery is not charging If battery life is short Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Dell AccessDirect Button Reprogramming the Button Numeric Keypad 34 Keyboard Shortcuts System Functions CD or DVD Tray Display Functions Power Management Speaker Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Touch Pad or Mouse Problems External Keyboard Problems 38 Unexpected Characters Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Using CDs and DVDs Dell Inspiron Help For information about using CDs and DVDs in your computer, see the file. To access the help file, see page 9. Sound and Speaker Problems If you have a problem with integrated speakers Press <Fn><End> to disable (mute) or reenable the integrated speakers. If you have a problem with external speakers Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Helpful Tips Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard Network Problems Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining Your Network Type Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Page Page Page Solving Problems Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Page Error Messages Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read NOTE: If only part of the display is readable Scanner Problems Drive Problems If you cannot save a file to a floppy drive 56 If you have problems with a hard drive PC Card Problems General Program Problems A program crashes A program stops responding Error messages appear Resolving Other Technical Problems If Your Computer Gets Wet If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Page Page Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools Shutting Down Your Computer Hard Drive Page Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory Page Page Modem and Mini PCI Card Replacing the Modem Adding a Mini PCI Card Page Page CD or DVD Drive Keyboard Page Page Appendix Specifications Page Page Page Page Page Page Using the System Setup Program Overview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options System and Battery Performance Optimization System Performance Overview Optimizing Power Consumption and Battery Charge Time Variable Speed Fan Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S.Only) Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Contacting Dell Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Index A B C D E F H I K P R S T U V W