When to Use the Dell Diagnostics | Dell 1200 guide

Dell Diagnostics

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Troubleshooting" on page 85, and then run the Dell Diagnostics before contacting Dell for assistance.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media provided with your computer.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media is optional and may not ship with your computer.

NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

Before running the Dell Diagnostics, enter System Setup (see "Viewing the System Setup Screens" on page 102) to review your computer’s configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test is displayed in System Setup and is active.

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

NOTE: If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.

NOTE: If your computer does not display a screen image contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 129).

1Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly.

2Press and hold the <Fn> key or the mute button then turn on your computer.

NOTE: Alternatively, you can select Diagnostics from the one-time boot menu at startup to boot to the diagnostic utility partition and run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Changing the Boot Sequence" on page 102).

Troubleshooting Tools

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Dell 1200 owner manual When to Use the Dell Diagnostics, Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

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 101 Dell Technical Update Service102 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 Microsoft Windows Power Meter Checking the Battery ChargeLow-Battery Warning Power Management Modes Conserving Battery PowerStandby 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 Adjusting Brightness Using the DisplayUsing a Projector Microsoft Windows XP Making Images and Text Look Bigger or SharperWindows 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 Fingerprint Reader Optional Computer Tracking SoftwareIf 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 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 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 Computer stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsProgram stops responding Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Program crashes repeatedlySolid 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 3D image quality is poor Power LightsOnly part of the display is readable Dell Support Utility Dell Technical Update Service Clicking the Dell Support Icon Accessing the Dell Support UtilityDouble-Clicking the Dell Support Icon 100 Overview System Setup Program101 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 Restoring Your Operating System Hardware and Software Problems110 Starting System Restore Using Microsoft Windows System Restore111 Enabling System Restore Undoing the Last System Restore112 Windows XP Dell PC Restore Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image 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 Traveling by Air Travel Tips120 121 122 Obtaining Assistance Getting Help123 DellConnect Online Services Technical Support and Customer Service124 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 Display 133Keyboard 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 CDs and DVDs Mouse Non-Optical139 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