Other technical problems, General hardware problems | Dell 2350

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CH E C K F O R V I R U S E S — Use a virus-scanning program to check the hard drive, floppy disks, or CDs.

RE S T A R T T H E C O M P U T E R — Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and then shut down your computer through the Start menu instead of pressing the power button. Otherwise, you may lose data.

CH E C K F O R C O M P A T I B I L I T Y —

•Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer and that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information.

•If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

EN S U R E T H A T Y O U P R O P E R L Y I N S T A L L E D A N D C O N F I G U R E D T H E P R O G R A M — See the software documentation for information. If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

Other technical problems

GO T O T H E DE L L SU P P O R T W E B S I T E — Go to support.dell.com for help with general usage, installation, and troubleshooting questions.The support website offers several different tools to help you, such as Dell Forum—a chat room where you can communicate with other Dell customers about their computers and gain access to technical support through e-mail. See "Dell Support Website" for more information about the website (see page 16). See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 99 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

CA L L DE L L — If you cannot solve your problem using the Dell Support website or e-mail service, call Dell for technical assistance (see page 100). See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 99 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

General hardware problems

If your computer exhibits one or more of the following symptoms, a device conflict may exist:

•Your computer locks up, particularly while using a specific device.

•A recently added device does not work.

•A sound card emits noise or demonstrates other problems.

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Solving Problems

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Dell 2350 manual Other technical problems, General hardware problems

Contents

Dell Dimension 2350 Series Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Solving Problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Using System Restore If the screen is difficult to readResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP Front and Back View of the ComputerAdding a Second CD or DVD Drive 118 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only100 Limited Warranties and Return Policy 121 Contents General W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m When Using Your Computer When Working Inside Your Computer Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Ergonomic Computing Habits Battery Disposal Finding Information for Your Computer What Are You Looking For? Find it Here How to reinstall my operating system E r a t i n g S y s t e m C D Te l l M e H o w h e l p f i l e Click Tell Me How Finding Information for Your Computer Setting Up Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer Connecting a Parallel PrinterPrinter Cable Connecting a USB Printer Transferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard Click checklist for creating a network Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Copying CDs If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Using Easy CD Creator Basic Using Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW Discs Helpful Tips How to Copy a CD Turning Off the Computer Click Turn off Solving Problems Finding Solutions See Solving Problems Battery Problems Finding Help Information Drive Problems Floppy drive problemsBack of floppy disk Write-protected CD drive problems Problems writing to a CD-RW drive Hard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsDVD drive problems Under Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel Error Messages Click Control Panel Click Add or Remove ProgramsClick the Change or Remove Program icon Program stops responding General ProblemsComputer stops responding Click Applications Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Other software problemsProgram crashes repeatedly Solid blue screen appears Other technical problems General hardware problems Keyboard Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Power ProblemsLightlight Printer Problems Diagnostic Lights on Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers No sound from headphones Check the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device box Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Click Appearance and Themes Solving Problems Advanced Troubleshooting Diagnostic Lights Light Pattern Problem Suggested Resolution Description Light Pattern Problem Suggested Resolution Description Starting the Dell Diagnostics Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the ResourceCD Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Option Function Tab Function What Is a Driver? DriversIdentifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver RollbackUsing the Dell Dimension ResourceCD Using System Restore Creating a Restore PointRestoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore Click Performance and Maintenance and click System Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Reinstalling Windows XP Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPBefore You Reinstall Preparing to Boot From the Operating System CD Starting Windows XP Setup Completing the GUI Setup Completing the Operating System Setup Reinstalling Drivers and Software Adding Parts Front and Back View of the Computer Front View Computer. Instead, perform a Windows shutdown Back View Removing the Computer Cover Place the computer cover on a level surface Looking Inside Your Computer System Board Cmos Adding Cards W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Fully seated Adding a Second CD or DVD Drive Side hinges Front panel Top tab Insert Tabs Gently slide the drive into place Side hinges Front panel Adding Memory Adding Parts Adding a Floppy Drive Release lever middle tab Tabs Insert Top bracket screw drive bracket Floppy drive Adding Parts Side hinges Front panel Replacing the Computer Cover P e n d i System Information SpecificationsMicroprocessor Expansion Bus Ports and Connectors MemoryDrives Audio PowerVideo Network Standard Settings Viewing Settings System Setup Program Screens Clearing Forgotten Passwords Replacing the Battery Battery Battery socket Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals Contacting DellDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals 101 102 Cayman Islands BruneiCanada North York, Ontario Chile Santiago Costa Rica China XiamenColombia Czech Republic Prague Website support.euro.dell.com 105 Corporate France Paris Montpellier Website support.euro.dell.comHome and Small Business Germany Langen Website support.euro.dell.com 107 Jamaica Ireland Cherrywood Website support.euro.dell.comItaly Milan Website support.euro.dell.com 108 Japan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.com Korea Seoul109 Area Codes Local Numbers, Toll-Free Numbers 110 Netherlands Antilles MexicoMontserrat Netherlands Amsterdam Website support.euro.dell.com 112 113 Spain Madrid Website support.euro.dell.com Sweden Upplands Vasby Website support.euro.dell.com114 115 Bracknell Website support.euro.dell.com Uruguay116 Virgin Islands A. Austin, TexasBusiness Venezuela Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Regulatory Notices NOM Information Mexico Only 119 Appendix What is not covered by this limited warranty? Limited Warranty for the U.SWhat is covered by this limited warranty? Limited Warranties and Return Policy What will Dell do? How long does this limited warranty last?What do I do if I need warranty service? 122 What if I purchased a service contract? How will you fix my product?123 What do I do if I am not satisfied? May I transfer the limited warranty?Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only 124 Limited Warranty Terms for Canada 125 Technical Support and Customer Service 126 127 Total Satisfaction Return Policy 128 Dell-Branded Peripheral Products Dell Software and PeripheralsThird-Party Software and Peripherals Products Return Policy Making a Claim GuaranteeExclusions Limitation and Statutory Rights Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty 131 132 What are ’Errata’? D ex 133 134 135 136