Software Problems, Solving Problems 201 | Dell 530 instruction

Software Problems

•Operating system compatibility

•Multiple microprocessor compatibility

•Input errors

•Error messages

•Device drivers

•Memory-resident programs

•Program conflicts

•Memory address conflicts

•Interrupt assignment conflicts

•BIOS recovery utility

This section provides general guidelines for analyzing software problems. See "Finding Information and Assistance" for a list of software resources available to you from Dell, including drivers, utilities, documentation, and operating system backups. For detailed troubleshooting information on a particular application program, see the documentation that accompanied the software or consult the support service for the software vendor.

If your computer is behaving erratically, back up your files immediately. If your computer has a tape drive installed, see the documentation that came with the tape backup software for instructions on performing a backup operation. Otherwise, see your operating system documentation for information on backing up data files.

Basic Checks:

•Ensure that the application program is compatible with the operating system installed in your computer and that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. For more information, see "Operating System Compatibility."

Solving Problems

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Dell 530 manual Software Problems, Solving Problems 201

Contents

Support.dell.com USER’S Guide Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definitions Contents Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring Installing and Configuring Software Installing a CD, Zip, or Other Externally Accessible Drive Computer Memory Installation Guidelines107 109 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 175 Serial or Parallel Device Problems 148138 139 190 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 213192 193 EN 55022 Compliance Czech Republic Only 235 234241 243 Safety Information Safety First-For You and Your Computer When Working Inside Your ComputerSafety Information Safety Information Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Ergonomic Computing Habits Safety Information About Your Computer Finding Information and Assistance Resource Contents Using the Resource User’s Guides Resource Contents Using the Resource Go to http//premiersupport.dell.com Go to http//support.dell.com Controls and lights Connecting devices Front View of Your ComputerFr o n t V i e w o f t h e C o m p u t e r Hard-drive access light Diskette-drive Power button Power light ExternallyDiagnostic lights E n i n g t h e D r i v e D o o r Controls and Lights Po w e r B u t t o n Fu n c t i o n s Connecting Devices Ieee 1394 FireWire Connector USB ConnectorsSpeaker/Headphone Jack C k Pa n e l Fe a t u r e s Back View of Your Computer Serial Port Connectors Parallel Port ConnectorAudio Connectors PS/2 Mouse Connector PS/2 Keyboard ConnectorNetwork Adapter Network Connection Requirements System cables System board components Front panel components Inside Your Computer System Cables Interior service labelS i d e t h e C o m p u t e r Front panel Brace Cable retainer Microprocessor Fan Accessible Bootable Eide and/orS t e m C a b l i n g System Board Components S t e m B o a r d C o m p o n e n t s Connector or Component Label System Board LabelsS t e m B o a r d L a b e l s Port 2 USB connectors Front panel audio connectorFront Panel Components S t e m B o a r d L a b e l s c o n t in u e d Connector Label Front Panel LabelsFr o n t Pa n e l L a b e l s About Your Computer Ieee 1394 FireWire Power Management Dell System Utilities Advanced Features System Settings Entering System SetupAdvanced Features System Setup Navigation Keys System Setup Screens Changing the Boot Sequence S t e m S e t u p N a v i g a t i o n Ke y sKeysAction Network Operations Network interface controller Boot sequence Remote wake up Network Configurations Boot SequenceNetwork Interface Controller Remote Wake Up Integrated Devices Ieee PS/2 mouseT w o r k O p t i o n S e t t i n g s Manageability Dell OpenManage IT AssistantDell OpenManage Client Instrumentation Click Downloads for Your Dell Downloading Systems Management Utilities Enter system setup SecurityChassis Intrusion Detection Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring System Password Password ProtectionSystem password Setup password Assigning a System Password Screen when Password Status is set to Unlocked Using Your System Password Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password Assigning a Setup Password Setup Password Operating Your Computer With a Setup Password Enabled Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup PasswordDisabling System and Setup Passwords Close the computer cover Open the computer cover Advanced Features Jumper Setting Description Jumper SettingsS t e m B o a r d J u m p e r s S t e m B o a r d J u m p e r S e t t i n g s Installing and Configuring Software Tapi Installing a Tapi Device Installing a Tapi Sound Card Lay the computer down on its right side Ieee 1394 FireWire Power Management Sleep State Wake-Up Methods Windows Windows NT Po w e r M a n a g e m e n t Dell System Utilities Auto Power OnAutoShutdown Asset Tag Advanced Features Computer Battery Removing and Installing Parts Computer Cover Removing and Installing PartsOpening the Computer Cover Opening the computer cover Closing the computer cover Closing the Computer Cover E n i n g t h e C o m p u t e r C o v e rCover release latch Security cable slot O s i n g t h e C o m p u t e r C o v e r Interior Service Label Interior service label Removing and Installing PartsT e r i o r S e r v i c e L a b e l Computer Memory M o r y M o d u l e L a b e l Socket Removing and Installing PartsS t e m B o a r d M e m o r y C o m p o n e n t s Suspend-to-RAM STR light Computer Memory Installation Guidelines System Board InstallationM o r y R i s e r B o a r d C o m p o n e n t s Riser Board Installation APICs Addressing Memory with 4-GB Configurations Sample Configurations Total Memory SocketTotal Memory Riser Board a Riser Board B Socket Upgrading Computer Memory Close the computer cover Securing clips Memory socket Removing and Installing Parts Removing a Memory ModuleRe m o v i n g a M e m o r y M o d u l e Install i n g a M e m o r y M o d u l e Installing a Memory ModuleRemoving Memory Riser Boards Remove the microprocessor airflow shroud Removing and Installing Parts Memory riser board a Memory riser board B System board Re m o v i n g M e m o r y R i s e r B o a r d s Installing Memory Riser Boards Install i n g M e m o r y R i s e r B o a r d s Disk Drives and Media I v e Ty p e s Installing a CD, Zip, or Other Externally Accessible Drive Removing and Installing Parts Re m o v i n g t h e D i s k e t t e D r i v e Drive Removing and Installing Parts Install i n g t h e D i s k e t t e D r i v e Removing and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts Diskette system board connector Close the computer cover Installing a Hard Drive Re m o v i n g a H a r d D r i v e Drive Bracket rails Screws Install i n g a H a r d D r i v e 100 Removing and Installing Parts T a c h i n g C a b l e s f o r a H a r d D r i v e Removing and Installing Parts 101 102 Removing and Installing Parts Jumper Settings Eide Device Installation GuidelinesRemoving and Installing Parts 103 General Guidelines 104 Removing and Installing Parts Scsi Device Installation GuidelinesEide Cables Scsi ID Numbers Removing and Installing Parts 105 Fault S C S I I D S e t t i n g sDevice Termination System Board Controller Controller Card Device Scsi Cables 106 Removing and Installing Parts Installing an expansion card Removing an expansion card Removing and Installing Parts 107Expansion Cards P a n s i o n C a r d Ty p e s Installing an Expansion Card 32-bit 33 MHz AGP connector PCI connector 64-bit 66 MHzRemoving and Installing Parts 109 Card retention arm Card bracket 110 Removing and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts 111 Install i n g a n E x p a n s i o n C a r d 112 Removing and Installing PartsCard retention arm Removing an Expansion Card Removing and Installing Parts 113 114 Removing and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts 115 Microprocessor Airflow ShroudRemoving the Microprocessor Airflow Shroud Installing the Microprocessor Airflow Shroud 116 Removing and Installing PartsAirflow shroud Top anchor tabs Bottom anchor tabs Removing and Installing Parts 117 Installation guidelines Upgrading the microprocessors Installation Guidelines118 Removing and Installing Parts Microprocessor Removing and Installing Parts 119 120 Removing and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts 121 Re m o v i n g t h e M i c r o p r o c e s s o rMicroprocessor Microprocessor socket Socket lever 122 Removing and Installing Parts Install i n g t h e M i c r o p r o c e s s o r Removing and Installing Parts 123 Install the airflow shroud Close the computer cover 124 Removing and Installing Parts Removing a VRM Installing a VRMRemoving a VRM Remove the airflow shroud VRM connector Installing a VRMRemoving and Installing Parts 125 Re m o v i n g a V R M 126 Removing and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts 127 Computer Battery Install i n g t h e C o m p u t e r B a t t e r y Battery Battery socket128 Removing and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts 129 Removing and Installing Parts Technical Specifications Memory 132 Technical SpecificationsSystem Information Video Technical Specifications 133 AudioExpansion Bus 134 Technical Specifications PortsKey Combinations Technical Specifications 135 PowerControls and Lights Physical Environmental 136 Technical Specifications Solving Problems Problem Action Finding Solutions138 Solving Problems L v i n g P r o b l e m s Power Light Cause Power ProblemsSolving Problems 139 Po w e r L i g h t codes Po w e r L i g h t codes c o n t in u e d 140 Solving Problems Monitor Power Light Cause Monitor ProblemsSolving Problems 141 N i t o r L i g h t codes 142 Solving Problems Video Problems Check the monitor power lightSolving Problems 143 144 Solving Problems Solving Problems 145 Sound and Speaker Problems 146 Solving Problems Printer Problems Perform the procedure in Serial or Parallel Device ProblemsSolving Problems 147 148 Solving Problems Serial or Parallel Device Problems Solving Problems 149 150 Solving Problems Mouse Problems Solving Problems 151 152 Solving Problems Keyboard Problems Solving Problems 153 Diskette Drive Problems 154 Solving Problems Solving Problems 155 Hard Drive Problems 156 Solving Problems Solving Problems 157 158 Solving Problems Battery Problems Expansion-Card Problems Replace the batterySolving Problems 159 160 Solving Problems Solving Problems 161 162 Solving Problems Network Problems Recover From a Program That Is Not Responding Solving Problems 163Restart a Computer That Is Not Responding Repair a Wet Computer 164 Solving Problems Repair a Dropped or Damaged Computer Solving Problems 165 Hardware Conflicts 166 Solving Problems Solving Problems 167 System Memory Problems 168 Solving Problems Solving Problems 169 Microprocessor Problems 170 Solving Problems System Board Problems Remove and install the VRMs Close the computer coverSolving Problems 171 Open the computer cover Reset Corrupted Bios Settings Perform the procedure in Reset Corrupted Bios SettingsSolving Problems 173 174 Solving Problems When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Dell DiagnosticsFeatures Solving Problems 175 Before You Start Testing Running the Dell Diagnostics176 Solving Problems Solving Problems 177 Option 1 Start/Continue Windows NT Installation 178 Solving Problems Option 5 Network Adapter Diagnostics/Configuration L l D i a g n o s t i c s M a i n M e n u Solving Problems 179 Advanced Testing 180 Solving ProblemsV a n c e d Te s t i n g S c r e e n Solving Problems 181 Advanced Testing Help MenuV a n c e d Te s t i n g H e l p C a t e g o r i e s Help Option Description 182 Solving Problems Messages and CodesSystem Messages Solving Problems 183 S t e m M e s s a g e sMessage Cause Action OS Install Mode option 184 Solving ProblemsS t e m M e s s a g e s c o n t in u e d Solving Problems 185 System Board Problems 186 Solving Problems Drive Problems Solving Problems 187 188 Solving Problems Again, see System Memory Problems Solving Problems 189 System Beep Codes 190 Solving Problems Solving Problems 191 S t e m B e e p codesCode Cause Action S t e m B e e p codes c o n t in u e d 192 Solving Problems Diagnostic Lights Diagnostics MessagesSystem lights Diagnostic lights System Lights S t e m L i g h t codes c o n t in u e d 194 Solving Problems Solving Problems 195 Diagnostic LightsA g n o s t i c L i g h t codes B e f o r e P O S T Light Pattern Cause Action 196 Solving Problems Power Management Solving Problems 197 A g n o s t i c L i g h t codes D u r i n g P O S T 198 Solving Problems Snmp Platform Event Traps Solving Problems 199 200 Solving Problems M P P l a t f o r m E v e n t Tr a p sDescription Code Solving Problems 201 Software Problems 202 Solving Problems Error Messages Input ErrorsSolving Problems 203 Operating System Compatibility Device Drivers 204 Solving ProblemsMemory-Resident Programs Program Conflicts Solving Problems 205 Fault I R Q a s s i g n m e n t sMemory Address Conflicts Interrupt Assignment Conflicts Bios Recovery Utility Fault I R Q a s s i g n m e n t s c o n t in u e d206 Solving Problems Solving Problems 207 Solving Problems Help Overview Dell Contact Numbers Getting Help Help Overview Run the Dell DiagnosticsTechnical Assistance Help Tools Getting Help 211 World Wide Web TechFax Service AutoTech ServiceTechnical Support Service Automated Order-Status System Getting Help 213 Problems With Your Order 214 Getting Help Before You Call Service tag bar code on the back of the computer Diagnostics Checklist Australia Sydney Dell Contact NumbersAustria Vienna Website http//support.euro.dell.com Brazil Belgium BrusselsBrunei Canada North York, Ontario Czech Republic Prague China XiamenDenmark Horsholm Finland Helsinki Corporate Home and Small BusinessGermany Langen Hong Kong Ireland Cherrywood Italy Milan Home and Small Business220 Getting Help Japan Kawasaki Website http//support.jp.dell.com Korea SeoulGetting Help 221 Luxembourg Latin AmericaMacau Malaysia Penang Netherlands Amsterdam MexicoNew Zealand Getting Help 223 Poland Warsaw Norway LysakerPortugal Singapore Singapore Southeast Asian and Pacific South Africa JohannesburgCountries Spain Madrid Home and Small Business Switzerland Geneva Sweden Upplands VasbyTaiwan Thailand Getting Help 227 Bracknell 228 Getting Help A. Austin, Texas Additional Information 230 Additional Information Regulatory Notices Additional Information 231 FCC Notices U.S. Only 232 Additional Information Class a Class B IC Notice Canada Only CE Notice European UnionAdditional Information 233 234 Additional Information Battery Disposal EN 55022 Compliance Czech Republic Only Vcci Notice Japan OnlyAdditional Information 235 Class B ITE Class a ITEC I C l a s s a I T E Re g u l a t o r y M a r k 236 Additional Information Class a Device MIC Notice Republic of Korea OnlyC I C l a s s B I T E Re g u l a t o r y M a r k Additional Information 237 Class B Device Polish Center for Testing and Certification NoticeC C l a s s a Re g u l a t o r y M a r k C C l a s s B Re g u l a t o r y M a r k Additional Information 239 Wymagania Polskiego Centrum Badañ i Certyfikacji 240 Additional Information Pozosta³e instrukcje bezpieczeñstwa Additional Information 241 Bsmi Notice Taiwan Only Additional Information Energy Star Compliance E R GY S TA R E m b l e mAdditional Information 243 Limited Warranty and Return Policy Three-Year Limited Warranty U.S. Only244 Additional Information Coverage During Year One Coverage During Years Two and ThreeAdditional Information 245 246 Additional Information General Provisions Additional Information 247 Three-Year Limited Warranty Canada Only 248 Additional Information Additional Information 249 250 Additional Information Exclusions GuaranteeMaking a Claim Additional Information 251 Dell Computer de Mexico SA de CV Limitation and Statutory Rights Additional Information 253 Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. and Canada Only Additional Information AGP AcpiAnsi API Bios AtapiBTU CD-RW CD-RCIM Cmos Crimm CPUDAT DCE Drdram DramDTE DVD FCC ESDFSB FTP IDE HtmlIPX IPX/SPX ISA IRQISO LBA LVD MBAMIF NIC MtbfNvram PBX PET PCIPGA PIO RAM RAIDRdram Rimm RTC SmbiosRtcrst Scsi STP SramTapi TCP/IP USB URLUTP VAC WOR ZIF270 Gl ossar y