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Dell 1501 owner manual Drivers, If only part of the display is readable, What Is a Driver?

Models: 1501

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If only part of the display is readable

If only part of the display is readable

C O N N E C T A N E X T E R N A L M O N I T O R —

1Shut down your computer and connect an external monitor to the computer.

2Turn on the computer and the monitor, and adjust the monitor brightness and contrast controls.

If the external monitor works, the computer display or video controller may be defective. Contact Dell. See "Contacting Dell" on page 109.

Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.

A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.

NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:

•Upgrade your operating system.

•Reinstall your operating system.

•Connect or install a new device.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.

1Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3Click System.

4In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.

5Click Device Manager.

6Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon.

If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver. See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 80.

Solving Problems

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Dell 1501 owner manual If only part of the display is readable, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers

Contents

Dell Inspiron Owner’s ManualModel PP23LA P/N HN926 Notes, Notices, and CautionsAbbreviations and Acronyms AugustContents 4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive traySound and Speaker Problems Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Glossary Index ContentsContents Drivers and Utilities CD also known as ResourceCD Finding InformationDell Product Information Guide Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License Setup DiagramThese labels are located on the bottom of your computer Windows Help and Support Center Dell Support Website - support.dell.comOperating System CD About Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s ConfigurationFront View Solid green The battery is charging T O U C H P A D - Provides the functionality of a mouse. Silk screening on the touch pad indicates scrolling capabilities The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following Left Side View Right Side View A U D I O C O N N E C T O R S Back ViewUSB C O N N E C T O R S Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor About Your Computer Bottom ViewConnecting to the Internet Setting Up Your ComputerSetting Up Your Internet Connection E-mail messages Toolbar settings Window sizes Internet bookmarks Transferring Information to a New ComputerIf you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP 5 Click Next Prepare the New Computer for the File Transfer Create a Wizard Disk Connecting a USB Printer Setting Up a PrinterPrinter Cable Surge Protectors Power Protection DevicesLine Conditioners Uninterruptible Power SuppliesSetting Up Your Computer Setting Display Resolution Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Switching the Video ImageIf the video resolution setting is higher than that supported by the display, the computer enters pan mode. In pan mode, the entire screen cannot be displayed at one time. For example, the taskbar that usually appears at the bottom of the desktop may no longer be visible. To view the rest of the screen, use the touch pad or track stick to pan up, down, left, and right Numeric Keypad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadSystem Functions BatteryPower Management Key CombinationsSpeaker Functions Adjusting Keyboard SettingsMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions Customizing the Touch Pad Touch PadBattery Performance Using a BatteryMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Checking the Battery ChargeCharge Gauge Low-Battery Warning Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Configuring Power Management Settings Replacing the Battery Charging the BatteryStoring a Battery Playing a CD or DVD Using MultimediaAdjusting the Picture Adjusting the VolumeCopying CDs and DVDs Using Blank CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVDHelpful Tips ExpressCard Blanks Using CardsInstalling an ExpressCard ExpressCardsRemoving an ExpressCard or Blank Media Memory Cards Installing a Media Memory CardRemoving a Media Memory Card Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Setting Up a NetworkWhat You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Network Setup WizardWireless Local Area Network WLAN Checking Your Wireless Network CardSetting Up a New WLAN Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network 2 Under Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System Guides Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card2 Double-click Network Connections 1 Click the Start button and click Help and SupportSetting Up a Network Securing Your Computer PasswordsSecurity Cable Lock If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking SoftwareDell Diagnostics Solving ProblemsDuring the assessment, answer any questions that appear Extended Test CD and DVD drive problems Drive ProblemsIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound E-Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsHard drive problems If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive trayError Messages characters in filenames Page M E M O R Y W R I T E / R E A D F A I L U R E A T A D D R E S S , R E A D V A L U E E X P E C T I N G V A L U E - A memory module may be manufacturer ExpressCard ProblemsKeyboard Problems the Windows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listedUnexpected characters External Keyboard problemsA program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Lockups and Software ProblemsThe computer does not start up The computer stops respondingOther software problems Memory ProblemsPower Problems Network ProblemsEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Printer ProblemsNo sound from external speakers Scanner ProblemsSound and Speaker Problems No sound from integrated speakersNo sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsIf the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is difficult to read Identifying Drivers What Is a Driver?Drivers If only part of the display is readableReinstalling Drivers and Utilities To start the Hardware Troubleshooter Resolving Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesRestoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreTo change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Using the Operating System CD Reinstalling Windows XP Turning Off Your Computer Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Recommended Tools2 Turn off your computer. See Turning Off Your Computer on page Before Working Inside Your Computer3 Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer 6 Press the power button to ground the system board 4 Slide the drive out of the bay Optical DriveHard Drive 1 Turn the computer over 2 Remove the optical-drive security screw1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory3 If you are replacing a memory module, remove the existing module 4 Ground yourself and install the new memory module Modem 3 Remove the existing modem hinge cover Hinge Coverscribe 4 Remove the keyboard Keyboard1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 2 Open the display 3 Remove the hinge cover. See Hinge Cover on pageWireless Mini-Card a Disconnect the two antenna cables from the Mini-Card metal securing tabs 5 Install the replacement Mini-Card1 system board connector Mini-CardAdding and Replacing Parts Coin-Cell Battery Display 8 Lift the display up and away from the computer Adding and Replacing Parts Identifying Your Computer Traveling With Your ComputerPacking the Computer Traveling by Air Travel Tipssupport.dell.com support Contacting DellCountry City Country City Country City Country City Country City Country City Country City Country City Country City toll-free 1-800-326-6061 or Country City Country City Country City 800 300 410 or 800 300 411 or Country City Country City Country City Country City or toll-free Printers, and Projectors for RelationshipCountry City Contacting Dell System Information SpecificationsSpecifications ProcessorMemory Ports and ConnectorsSpecifications 3-in-1 Media Memory Card ReaderAudio SpecificationsCommunications VideoDisplay SpecificationsTouch Pad BatterySpecifications KeyboardSpecifications Battery continuedAC Adapter Physical SpecificationsEnvironmental Specifications Entering System Setup Using the System Setup ProgramAppendix Changing the Boot Sequence Commonly Used OptionsDiskette Drive Internal HDD USB Storage Device CD/DVD/CD-RW drive Floppy Drive Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Display Touch PadDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsCDs and DVDs Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals FCC Notice U.S. OnlyFCC Class B PP23LA Product nameDell Inspiron Model numberAppendix Glossary Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Glossary Numbers IndexSee also hard drive See also optical drive Page Page Page Index