Dell 140M, PP19L Lockups and Software Problems, Unexpected characters, Computer does not start up

w w w . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m

TO V E R I F Y T H A T T H E P R O B L E M I S W I T H T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D , C H E C K T H E I N T E G R A T E D K E Y B O A R D —

1Shut down the computer.

2Disconnect the external keyboard.

3Turn on the computer.

4From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to Programs→ Accessories, and click Notepad.

5Type some characters on the internal 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 "Contacting Dell" on page 145.

R U N T H E K E Y B O A R D D I A G N O S T I C S T E S T S — Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see page 77). If the tests indicate a defective external keyboard, contact Dell. See "Contacting Dell" on page 145.

Unexpected characters

DI S A B L E T H E N U M E R I C K E Y P A D — Press <Num Lk> to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.

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

E N S U R E T H A T T H E AC A D A P T E R I S F I R M L Y C O N N E C T E D T O T H E C O M P U T E R A N D T O T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T

The computer stops responding

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

TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F — 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.

A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly

E N D T H E P R O G R A M —

1Press <Crtl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously.

2Click the Applications tab and select the program that is no longer responding.

3Click End Task.

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Solving Problems