Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance, 123 | Dell 1200 specs

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Getting Help

Obtaining Assistance

If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem:

1See "Troubleshooting" on page 85 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing.

2See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 79 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics.

3Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 128.

4Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support (support.dell.com) for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures. See "Online Services" on page 124 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online.

5If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 129

NOTE: Call Dell Support from a telephone near or at the computer so that the support staff can assist you with any necessary procedures.

NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries.

When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you do not have an Express Service Code, open the Dell Accessories folder, double-click the Express Service Code icon, and follow the directions.

For instructions on using the Dell Support, see "Technical Support and Customer Service" on page 124.

NOTE: Some of the following services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Call your local Dell representative for information on availability.

Getting Help

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Dell 1200 owner manual Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance, 123

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m November RK930 Contents Customizing the Touch Pad Microsoft Windows Firewall Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Securing Your Computer Dell Technical Update Service 101102 123 105119 120 137 126127 129 Contents What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Finding Information Dell Product Information Guide License Site What Are You Looking For? Dell Support Utility Windows Help and Support On the operating system you ordered Finding Information Front View About Your Computer Display About Your Computer V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S In-1 memory card reader Left Side View Right Side View Back View D E M C O N N E C T O R RJ T W O R K C O N N E C T O R RJ Bottom View Battery Battery-bay latch release About Your Computer About Your Computer Battery Performance Using a Battery Checking the Battery Charge Microsoft Windows Power MeterLow-Battery Warning Conserving Battery Power Power Management ModesStandby and Sleep Mode Hibernate Mode Windows XP Configuring Power Management SettingsCharging the Battery Accessing Power Options Properties Removing the Battery Storing a Battery Using a Battery Numeric Keypad Using the Keyboard Speaker Functions Power ManagementKey Combinations System Functions Touch Pad Mouse Properties window Customizing the Touch Pad Using the Display Adjusting BrightnessUsing a Projector Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper Microsoft Windows XPWindows Vista Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display Click the Settings tab→ Advanced→ Displays tab Using the Display Playing CDs or DVDs Using Multimedia DVD player includes the following basic buttons Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDs DVD-Writable Drives Helpful Tips Adjusting the Picture Adjusting the Volume Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up and Using Networks Start Button and Connect To Option Wireless Local Area Network WlanChecking Your Wireless Network Card What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Order Confirmation for Your Computer Connecting to a Wlan Click Start→ Settings→ Control Panel→ Network Connections Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Completing the Connection to the Wlan Microsoft Windows Firewall Setting Up and Using Networks ExpressCards Using Cards ExpressCard Blanks Installing an ExpressCard Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Slot Security Cable Lock PasswordsAbout Passwords Securing Your Computer Type of Password Features Using a Primary or System Password Using an Administrator Password Computer Tracking Software Fingerprint Reader OptionalIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Troubleshooting ToolsDiagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes During Post Light Pattern System Messages Troubleshooting Tools Correct AC adapter to the computer or docking station E S E M E S S a G E S . See System Setup Program on Dell for assistance see Contacting Dell on Hardware Troubleshooter Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsStarting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Troubleshooting Tools Press Tab to select Test System and then press Enter Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu TabFunction Encountered Tab Function Battery Problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Troubleshooting Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper Do not use these characters in filenames Error Messages Lockups and Software Problems Computer stops respondingProgram stops responding Program crashes repeatedly Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating systemSolid blue screen appears Other software problems Memory Problems Power Problems Network Problems Printer Problems Click Properties and click Ports Scanner Problems No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Screen is blank Screen is difficult to read Video and Monitor Problems Power Lights 3D image quality is poorOnly part of the display is readable Dell Support Utility Dell Technical Update Service Accessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support IconDouble-Clicking the Dell Support Icon 100 System Setup Program Overview101 Commonly Used Options Viewing the System Setup ScreensSystem Setup Screens Changing the Boot Sequence 103 Performing a One-Time Boot 104 Enabling the Infrared Sensor Identifying Drivers Reinstalling SoftwareWhat Is a Driver? Drivers Microsoft Windows Vista Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing Windows Device Driver Rollback Microsoft Windows XP 107 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next 108 Using the Drivers and Utilities Media 109 Manually Reinstalling Drivers Hardware and Software Problems Restoring Your Operating System110 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Starting System Restore111 Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore112 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore Windows XP Dell PC Restore113 114 115 Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore 116 Using the Operating System MediaReinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista Before you Begin 117 118 119 Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Travel Tips Traveling by Air120 121 122 Getting Help Obtaining Assistance123 Technical Support and Customer Service DellConnect Online Services124 125 Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service 126 127 Before You Call 128 Diagnostics Checklist 129 Contacting Dell 130 131 Specifications Audio 132Communications Video 133 DisplayKeyboard AC Adapter Battery134 Touch Pad Environmental 135Drives Physical 136 137 AppendixFCC Notice U.S. Only FCC Class B 138 Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display Mouse Non-Optical CDs and DVDs139 140 141 Glossary 142 Product ID 143 Device driver See driver 144 145 146 147 148 Module bay See media bay 149 NIC See network adapter 150 151 152 153 154 155 Video resolution See resolution 156 157 158 159 Index 160 161 See also wireless switch 162 163 164