Getting Help, Technical Assistance, Help Tools | Dell 5000 guide

C H A P T E R 4

Getting Help

This chapter describes the tools Dell provides to help you when you have a problem with your computer. It also tells you when and how to call Dell for technical or cus- tomer assistance.

Technical Assistance

If you need assistance with a technical problem, perform the following steps:

1.Complete the troubleshooting checks in Chapter 2, “Troubleshooting.”

2.Run the Dell Diagnostics as described in Chapter 2, “Running the Dell Diagnostics.”

3.Make a copy of and complete the Diagnostics Checklist (see Figure 4-1).

4.Use Dells’ extensive suite of online services available at Dell’s World Wide Web site (http://www.dell.com) for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures.

For more information, refer to “World Wide Web” found later in this chapter.

5.If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, call Dell for technical assistance.

When prompted by Dell’s automated telephone system, enter your Express Ser- vice Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you do not have an Express Service Code, open the Dell Accessories folder, double-click the Express Service Code icon, and follow the directions.

NOTE: Dell’s Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries.

For instructions on using the technical support service, refer to “Technical Sup- port Service” and “Before You Call” found later in this chapter.

Help Tools

Dell provides a number of tools to assist you. These tools are described in the follow- ing sections.

support.dell.com

Getting Help

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Dell 5000 manual Getting Help, Technical Assistance, Help Tools

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 Warranty and Return Policy Information Other Documents You May NeedNotational Conventions 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 Connecting Other External Devices Using a Port ReplicatorSystem Help 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 Audio Problems Resolve CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive ProblemsResolve Diskette 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 Boot Your Computer With the System Software CD Recreating the Hibernate Save-to-Disk Suspend File WindowsFloppy 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 Getting Help Technical AssistanceHelp Tools 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 Australia AustriaWeb site http//support.euro.dell.com Brazil BelgiumBrunei Canada Czech Republic ChinaDenmark Finland France GermanyHong Kong 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 Using the System Setup Program Accessing the System Setup ProgramMain System Devices Security Power Boot Exit 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 CTR21 Declaration New Zealand Telecom WarningsGeneral Important Notice CE Notice European Union Battery Disposal EN 55022 Compliance Czech Republic OnlyVcci Notice Japan Only Polish Center for Testing and Certification Notice Class a ITEClass B ITE #$%$&$*+,-.%*/.&012#3$4$5 /.106-$78 $.&,012-78..9.79.5,0=$ NOM Information Mexico Only Información para NOM únicamente para México Limited Warranty and Return Policy Three-Year Limited Warranty U.S. OnlyCoverage During Year One General Provisions Coverage During Years Two and Three Three-Year Limited Warranty Canada Only Coverage During Year One Guarantee Exclusions Making a ClaimLimitation and Statutory Rights Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. and Canada Only Dell Computer de Colombia CorporationDell Computer de Mexico SA de CV 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