Troubleshooting Tools | Dell 531 manual

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

2Insert the Operating System CD. Click Exit if the Install Windows Vista message appears.

3Restart the computer. Press <F12> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.

If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut down the computer and try again.

NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.

4When the boot device list appears, highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive and press <Enter>.

5Press any key to Boot from CD-ROM.

6Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

Troubleshooting Tools

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Dell 531 owner manual Troubleshooting Tools

Contents

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 Power Options Properties One Monitor With a DVI ConnectorChanging the Display Settings Power Management Options Media Card Reader Problems CD and DVD drive problemsMail, Modem, and Internet Problems Keyboard Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 102 Power Supply DC Connector Pin AssignmentsMemory Installation Guidelines 108 Installing a Second Hard Drive 125 Removing the Processor Fan Replacing the Power SupplyInstalling the Processor Fan Installing the System Board 167 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 176Technical Support and Customer Service 183 Automated Order-Status Service 185 Contents Glossary Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Warranty information Your call when contacting support Service CodeUse the Service Tag to identify your Enter the Express Service Code to direct What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Reinstall the DSS utility. DSSProvides critical updates for your Your computer and operating System and installs the updates Click Help and Support Help and Support CD or DVD drive Service Tag Located on top of the chassis towards the rearSetting Up and Using Your Computer Front View of the Computer Power light Ieee 1394 connectorHeadphone connector Power button Back View of the Computer Light Back Panel ConnectorsConnector VGA video MicrophoneUSB Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Setting Up and Using Your Computer Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a USB Printer Windows Vista Windows XPControl Panel Printers and Faxes Add a printer to start Playing CDs and DVDs DVD player includes the following basic buttons Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDsWindows Vista DVD-Writable Drives Helpful Tips Using a Media Card Reader Optional Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors Connecting Two Monitors May not be present on your computer Connecting a TV Standby Mode Power ManagementChanging the Display Settings Power Management Options in Microsoft Windows XP Hibernate Mode Hibernate tab Power Options PropertiesPower Schemes Tab Hibernate Tab Power Management Options in Windows VistaAdvanced Tab Standby Mode Power Plan Properties Advanced Tab Power Management ModesClick Change Advanced Power Settings Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet Technology About RAID Configurations For Windows Vista only RAID Level 1 Configuration Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility Transferring Information to a New Computer Using Nvidia MediaShieldRebuilding a RAID Configuration Setting Up and Using Your Computer Tools Windows Easy Transfer All Programs Accessories SystemNext Network Setup Wizard Setting Up a Home and Office NetworkConnecting to a Network Adapter Click Checklist for creating a network Connecting to the Internet Click Connect to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Solving Problems Troubleshooting TipsBattery Problems Windows XP Click Start and click My Computer Windows Vista Drive Problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems N T H E M O D E M H E L P E R D I a G N O S T I C S To verify that the modem is communicating with Windows Error MessagesClick Start Options Modems Solving Problems Computer does not start up Keyboard ProblemsLockups and Software Problems Program crashes repeatedly Computer stops respondingProgram stops responding Windows Follow the instructions on the screen Solid blue screen appearsWindows XP C K U P Y O U R F I L E S I M M E D I a T E L Y Other software problems Media Card Reader Problems Memory Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems E C K T H E P R I N T E R C a B L E C O N N E C T I O N S Scanner Problems No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is difficult to read If the screen is blank J U S T T H E W I N D O W S D I S P L a Y S E T T I N G S Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tools Power Lights Beep Codes Code Description Suggested Remedy Repetitive Short beeps If the problem persists, contact Dell System Messages Troubleshooting Tools Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu OptionFunction TabFunction What is a Driver?Drivers Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing Windows Device Driver Rollback Click the Drivers tab Roll Back Driver Using the Drivers and Utilities media Manually Reinstalling Drivers Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Center Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Point to All Programs Maintenance and then click Back Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore Click Finish to reboot the system Removing Dell PC Restore Before You Begin Using the Operating System CDReinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista Troubleshooting Tools Troubleshooting Tools Recommended Tools Removing and Installing PartsBefore You Begin Before Working Inside Your Computer Turning Off Your Computer Removing the Computer Cover Computer cover Front of computer Thumbscrew 101 Inside View of Your Computer 311 System Board Components102 Cpufan 103 104 Power Supply DC Connector Pin AssignmentsDC Power Connector P1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 105 Pin Number Signal name Wire Color Wire Size 106 DC Power Connector P2 Pin Number Signal Name AWG Wire 107 DC Power Connector P7 Pin Number Signal NameMemory 108 Memory Installation Guidelines 109 Installing Memory Cutouts Memory module Notch Crossbar 111 CardsRemoving Memory 112 PCI and PCI Express Cards 113 114 115 Removing and Installing Parts 117 If you removed an add-in network connector 118 BezelRemoving the Bezel 119 Replacing the BezelAlign and insert the bezel clamps in the bezel clamp slots 120 Drives Recommended Drive Cable Connections Connecting Drive CablesDrive Interface Connectors Serial ATA Connector Hard Drives Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 123 Removing and Installing Parts 125 Installing a Second Hard Drive Removing and Installing Parts 127 Floppy Drive Not present on all computers 129 Screw slots 131 132 Replacing the Drive Panel Insert 133 Media Card Reader Removing and Installing Parts 135 136 CD or DVD Drive 137 Removing and Installing Parts 139 Removing and Installing Parts 141 142 BatteryReplacing the Battery 143 Power SupplyReplacing the Power Supply Power supply Screws 145 ProcessorRemoving the Processor Removing and Installing Parts 147 148 Installing the Processor 149 Removing and Installing Parts 151 PanelRemoving the I/O Panel Installing the I/O Panel 153 Removing the Processor Fan Processor Fan 155 Fan Fan cover guide Fan cover grips 157 Installing the Processor Fan Fan Fan cover Heat sink 159 Chassis Fan Removing the Chassis Fan 161 Replacing the Chassis Fan Removing the System Board System Board 163 System Board Screws Replacing the Computer Cover Installing the System Board 165 Move the computer to the upright position 166 167 Specifications Expansion Bus 168Audio Drives 169 Controls and Lights PowerPower supply wattage rating 170 Environmental 171Physical 172 System SetupEntering System Setup Overview 173 System Setup OptionsSystem Setup Screen Displays Bios Info and the Service Tag 174 175 Boot Sequence Clearing Forgotten Passwords 177 Clearing Cmos Settings File Download window appears Flashing the BiosClick Download Now to download the file 179 Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse 180 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyCDs and DVDs FCC Class B Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsFCC Notice U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Dcma 182 183 Technical Support and Customer ServiceGetting Help Obtaining Assistance DellConnect Online Services Product Information Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service 186 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or CreditBefore You Call 187 Diagnostics Checklist Contacting Dell Glossary 189 190 Product ID 191 Device driver See driver 192 193 194 195 196 Module bay See media bay 197 NIC See network adapter 198 199 200 201 202 203 Video resolution See resolution 204 Index 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212