Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities | Dell 1501 manual

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and Utilities CD provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

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

Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.

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.

6Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties.

7Click the Drivers tab.

8Click Roll Back Driver.

If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore (see "Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore" on page 82) to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver.

Using the Drivers and Utilities CD

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

If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore does not resolve the problem, then reinstall the driver from the Drivers and Utilities CD.

1Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.

2Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD.

In most cases, the CD starts running automatically. If it does not, start Windows Explorer, click your CD drive directory to display the CD contents, and then double-click the autorcd.exe file. The first time that you run the CD, it might prompt you to install setup files. Click OK, and follow the instructions on the screen to continue.

3From the Language drop-down menu in the toolbar, select your preferred language for the driver or utility (if available). A welcome screen appears.

4Click Next.

The CD automatically scans your hardware to detect drivers and utilities used by your computer.

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Solving Problems

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Dell 1501 Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities, Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback, Using the Drivers and Utilities CD

Contents

Dell Inspiron W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Configuring Power Management Settings Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your ComputerIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreIf only part of the display is readable 103 104107 108 Glossary Index Contents Support.dell.com Warranty informationFinding Information Setup Diagram Click the topic that describes your problem What Are You Looking For? Find It HereClick the arrow icon Follow the instructions on the screen Microsoft Windows System Restore Microsoft Service call status and support historyTop technical issues for my computer Frequently asked questions About Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s ConfigurationAbout Your Computer Front View V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S About Your Computer Y B O a R D a N D W I R E L E S S S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View Right Side View Back View Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor Bottom View Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the InternetSetting Up Your Internet Connection Setting Up Your Computer Transferring Information to a New Computer Click Finish and restart the new computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a USB Printer Power Protection Devices Surge Protectors Uninterruptible Power Supplies Line Conditioners Setting Up Your Computer Using the Display Adjusting BrightnessSwitching the Video Image Setting Display Resolution Using the Display Numeric Keypad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadUsing the Keyboard and Touch Pad Key Combinations Adjusting Keyboard Settings Speaker FunctionsMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Using a Battery Using a BatteryBattery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Microsoft Windows Power MeterCheck the Battery Charge Check the Battery Health Conserving Battery Power Low-Battery WarningPower Management Modes Standby Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Hibernate Mode Charging the Battery Replacing the Battery Storing a Battery Playing a CD or DVD Using MultimediaUsing Multimedia Copying CDs and DVDs Adjusting the VolumeAdjusting the Picture How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Cards Installing an ExpressCardUsing Cards ExpressCards Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Installing a Media Memory Card Media Memory Cards Removing a Media Memory Card Setting Up a Network Setting Up a NetworkPhysically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Network Setup Wizard Wireless Local Area Network WlanChecking Your Wireless Network Card What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Setting Up a New Wlan Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Completing the Connection to the Wlan Setting Up a Network Passwords Securing Your ComputerSecurity Cable Lock Securing Your Computer Computer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Solving Problems Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Option Function Tab Function Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Drive ProblemsCD and DVD drive problems If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsHard drive problems Error Messages Characters in filenames Solving Problems Solving Problems ExpressCard Problems Keyboard ProblemsWindows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listed Manufacturer External Keyboard problems Unexpected characters Lockups and Software Problems Computer does not start upComputer stops responding Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Memory Problems Other software problems Communication exists. Replace the network cable Network ProblemsPower Problems Printer Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers Touch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from headphones Video and Display Problems If the display is blankIf the display is difficult to read Picture quality What Is a Driver? DriversIf only part of the display is readable Identifying Drivers Using the Drivers and Utilities CD Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Restoring Your Operating System Solving Problems Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Dell Operating System CD Dell Drivers and Utilities CD Using the Operating System CDBefore You Begin Reinstalling Windows XP Adding and Replacing Parts Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Recommended Tools Before Working Inside Your Computer Battery-bay latch release Optical Drive Hard Drive To replace the hard drive in the hard drive bay Memory Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Securing clips Memory module Per connector Replace the memory module cover Modem Adding and Replacing Parts Hinge Cover Keyboard Wireless Mini-Card Mini-Card Antenna cables Antenna cable connectors Install the replacement Mini-Card 101 Adding and Replacing Parts Coin-Cell Battery 103 Display Lift the display up and away from the computer 105 106 Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your ComputerPacking the Computer 107 Travel Tips Traveling by Air Contacting Dell Contacting Dell109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 Website support.ap.dell.com 124Called from within Singapore or Malaysia only 125 126 127 Printers, and Projectors for Relationship 128 129 130 Specifications 131 Ports and Connectors 132In-1 Media Memory Card Reader Memory 133 CommunicationsVideo Audio 134 Display Battery 135Keyboard Touch Pad 136 AC Adapter Environmental 137Physical 138 Using the System Setup Program Entering System SetupAppendix 139 140 Changing the Boot SequenceCommonly Used Options Performing a One-Time Boot 141 Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and DisplayTouch Pad Floppy Drive Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyCDs and DVDs 143 FCC Notice U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and PeripheralsFCC Class B 144 145 PP23LA 146 Glossary Glossary147 148 Docking device See APR 149Device driver See driver 150 151 152 153 NIC See network adapter 154 155 System tray See notification area Video resolution See resolution 156 157 158 Index Index159 See also hard drive See also optical drive 160 161 Problems programs and Windows 162 163 164