Troubleshooting, Checking the Basics | Dell 5000 guide

C H A P T E R 2

Troubleshooting

This chapter helps you to solve some typical computer problems. Complete the steps in this chapter before you call Dell for technical assistance. If you find that you need technical assistance to solve your problem, record your findings on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist (see Figure 4-1) before you call Dell.

NOTE: Before you begin any of the troubleshooting procedures, ensure that

Quiet Boot is set to Disabled in the Main menu of the system setup program. See Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.”

CAUTION: To help prevent the risk of electrical shock, disconnect all exter- nal devices, remove the battery, and disconnect the AC adapter from the computer before installing or replacing the hard-disk drive and memory modules.

Checking the Basics

NOTE: If your computer is wet or damaged, proceed directly to “Dry Out a Wet Com- puter” or “Test a Dropped or Damaged Computer” found later in this chapter.

If the problem you are experiencing began after making a change to your computer, such as installing new hardware or software, undo the change if possible. If undoing the change resolves the problem, review the documentation and any updates or sup- plements (for example, readme files) for the software or hardware that you changed. Typically, readme files provide installation information, describe new product enhance- ments or corrections that have not yet been documented, and list known problems.

If you were trying to install new hardware, ensure that you changed the appropriate settings in the system setup program for the new hardware configuration (refer to Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program”).

NOTE: DellWare™ products are supported by the product manufacturer. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation that accompanies the item.

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Troubleshooting

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Dell 5000 manual Troubleshooting, Checking the Basics

Contents

Reference Troubleshooting Guide Page When Using Your Computer Safety InstructionsPage Ergonomic Computing Habits Viii Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge When Removing or Installing Memory ModulesPage About This Guide Preface Notational Conventions Warranty and Return Policy InformationOther Documents You May Need Examples autoexec.bat and c\windows Typographical Conventions Xiv Contents Installing System Software Getting Help Xviii Figures Tables IndexPage Available Options and Upgrades Options and Upgrades Swapping Media Bay Devices Using Drives in the Media Bay Swapping Devices Using Softex BayManager Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive Removing the Internal Hard-Disk Drive Returning a Hard-Disk Drive to Dell Repackaging the Hard-Disk Drive Installing Memory Modules Removing the Memory Module Cover Removing a Memory Module System Help Connecting Other External DevicesUsing a Port Replicator Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Checking the Basics Troubleshooting Evaluate Environmental Factors Check Connections Check the Electrical Power Source Running the Dell Diagnostics Floppy Internal Hard Drive Start the Dell Diagnostics Select Devices to Test Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Device Groups Devices for Highlighted Group Confirm the System Configuration Information Memory Use the Dell Diagnostics Help Menu Exit the Dell Diagnostics Troubleshooting Procedures Dry Out a Wet Computer Restart Your Computer Test a Dropped or Damaged Computer Restart a Computer That Is Not Responding Recover From a Program That Is Not RespondingSelect Fully Test All Devices Click End Task Resolve Diskette Drive Problems Resolve Audio ProblemsResolve CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive Problems Resolve External Monitor Problems Resolve Display Problems Resolve Hard-Disk Drive Problems Resolve External Keyboard ProblemsResolve Hardware Conflicts Click the Device Manager tab Infrared devices Network adapters Ports COM & LPT Resolve Infrared Port Problems Resolve Memory Problems Resolve PC Card Problems Resolve Modem, Fax, and Internet Connection Problems Resolve Touch Pad and Mouse Problems Resolve Software Problems Shut Down window, select Restart the Computer Resolve Television Problems Support.dell.com Troubleshooting Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Installing the Windows 98 Operating System Installing System Software Floppy Boot Your Computer With the System Software CDRecreating the Hibernate Save-to-Disk Suspend File Windows Delete the Hibernate File Exit to MS-DOS Exit to MS-DOS from the Dell Diagnostic Menu Enable Hibernate SupportExit to MS-DOS from the Dell Diagnostics Menu Create the Hibernate File Install the Audio Driver Windows Installing Drivers and Utilities for Windows Install the Touch Pad Driver Windows Install the Video Driver Windows Install Softex BayManager Windows Install the Internal Modem Driver Windows 98 Optional Install the Software DVD Decoder Windows 98 Optional Click the Start button and select Settings Control Panel Install the Intel SpeedStep Utility Windows 98 Optional System Software CD Install the Video Driver Windows At the Important Information window, click Next twice WinZip Self-Extractor window appears Software License Agreement window appears Install the Software DVD Decoder Windows 2000 Optional Install the Intel SpeedStep Utility Windows 2000 Optional Click Copy Here Install the System Help From the System Software CD Updating Drivers and Utilities Download the System Help From the Dell Support Web Site Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Help Tools Getting HelpTechnical Assistance World Wide Web AutoTech Service TechFax Service Problems With Your OrderTechnical Support Service Automated Order-Status System Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Before You Call Diagnostics Checklist Diagnostics Checklist 1344 Dell Contact Numbers International Dialing Codes Web site http//support.euro.dell.com AustraliaAustria Brazil BelgiumBrunei Canada Czech Republic ChinaDenmark Finland Hong Kong FranceGermany Italy IrelandJapan Web site http//support.jp.dell.com Latin America KoreaLuxembourg Macau Netherlands MexicoNew Zealand Norway Singapore PolandSouth Africa Southeast Asian Sweden SpainSwitzerland Taiwan TechConnect BBS Sales 01344 720000 AutoFax Dell Home and Small Business Group Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Table A-1. Technical Specifications Technical Specifications PC Card Video Tabs AC Adapter Environmental Computer Main System Devices Security Power Boot Exit Using the System Setup ProgramAccessing the System Setup Program Table B-1. System Setup Program Navigation Keys Navigating Through the System Setup Program Item Specific Help Main Menu Figure B-2. System Devices Menu System Devices Menu Security Security Menu Figure B-4. Power Menu Power Menu Figure B-5. Boot Menu Boot Menu Exit Exit Menu System Messages Table C-1. System Error Messages Real time clock Regulatory Notices Class a FCC Notices U.S. Only Modem Regulatory Information Class B Fax Branding IC Notice Canada Only Support.dell.com Regulatory Notices D-5 General CTR21 DeclarationNew Zealand Telecom Warnings Important Notice CE Notice European Union Vcci Notice Japan Only Battery DisposalEN 55022 Compliance Czech Republic Only Class B ITE Polish Center for Testing and Certification NoticeClass a ITE #$%$&$*+,-.%*/.&012#3$4$5 /.106-$78 $.&,012-78..9.79.5,0=$ NOM Information Mexico Only Información para NOM únicamente para México Coverage During Year One Limited Warranty and Return PolicyThree-Year Limited Warranty U.S. Only General Provisions Coverage During Years Two and Three Three-Year Limited Warranty Canada Only Coverage During Year One Guarantee Limitation and Statutory Rights ExclusionsMaking a Claim Dell Computer de Mexico SA de CV Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. and Canada OnlyDell Computer de Colombia Corporation Macrovision Product Notice Index International access codes about, 4-8 instructions for using Support.dell.com Index Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide World Wide Web help tools Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Dell Information Development Total page Count