Resolving Other Technical Problems, Drivers | Dell PP05L, 600m

Resolving Other Technical Problems

G O T O T H E D E L L S U 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. See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 98 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

E - M A I L D E L L — Go to support.dell.com and then click E-Mail Dell in the Communicate list. Send an e-mail message to Dell about your problem; you can expect to receive an e-mail message from Dell within hours. See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 98 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

C O N T A C T D E L L — If you cannot solve your problem using the Dell™ Support website or e-mail service, call Dell for technical assistance (see "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 98). See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 98 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.

A driver acts like a translator between the device and the programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.

NOTICE: Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:

•Upgrade your operating system.

•Reinstall your operating system.

•Connect or install a new device.

Solving Problems

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Dell PP05L, 600m owner manual Resolving Other Technical Problems, Drivers, What Is a Driver?

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Dell Inspiron 600m April T8109 Contents Checking the Charge on the Second Battery Removing and Installing a Reserve BatteryMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions Enabling the Display Settings for a Television Connecting a Television to the ComputerConnecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XPIf only part of the display is readable Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 100 Appendix Contents Front View Tour of Your ComputerKeyboard status lights Mute button Touch pad buttons Speaker Display latch W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Tour of Your Computer Left Side View D I O C O N N E C T O R S Security cable slot Module bay Right Side View Back View Parallel connectorRJ-45 USB C O N N E C T O R S Connects a parallel device, such as a printer Tour of Your Computer Bottom View Tour of Your Computer Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your ComputerSetting Up Your Internet Connection Setting Up Your Computer Next window, click the appropriate option Modem and Internet Connection Problems Setting Up a Printer Mail ProblemsPrinter Cable Parallel connector on computer Connecting a Parallel PrinterScrews Clips Parallel printer Cable Notches Connecting a USB Printer Printer ProblemsUSB connector on computer USB printer On printer Cable Power Protection Devices Setting Up the Docking Device to Connect to a NetworkSurge Protectors Line Conditioners Turning Off Your Computer Uninterruptible Power SuppliesComputer turns off after the shutdown process finishes Setting Up Your Computer Using a Battery Using Batteries and Module Bay DevicesBattery Performance Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Checking the Battery ChargeMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge Health Gauge Low-Battery Warning Removing a Battery Charging the Battery Installing a Battery Removing and Installing a Reserve Battery Storing a Battery Power Problems About the Module Bay Checking the Charge on the Second Battery Device latch release Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices Second battery bottom Removing and Installing Devices While Computer Is Running Device latch release Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Keyboard Shortcuts BatterySystem Functions CD or DVD Tray Advanced tab in the Power Options Properties Power ManagementSpeaker Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch pad Touch pad buttons Touch Pad External Keyboard Problems Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsCustomizing the Touch Pad Unexpected Characters Using CDs and DVDs Using CDs, DVDs, and Other MultimediaCD and DVD Problems Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Sound and Speaker Problems Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Connecting a Television to the ComputerHelpful Tips Video cable Audio cable Video Connection Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Composite Video Connection Composite TV-out adapter cable Enabling the Display Settings for a Television Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Connecting to a Network Adapter Setting Up a Home and Office NetworkSetting Up a Home and Office Network Network cable Network Problems Network Setup WizardConnecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining Your Network Type Infrastructure network Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Setting Up a Home and Office Network Setting Up a Home and Office Network Setting Up a Home and Office Network Finding Solutions Solving ProblemsSolving Problems See Error Messages Accessing Help If the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsClick Control Panel Click Add or Remove Programs Click Appearance and Themes If the display is difficult to read Drive Problems Scanner ProblemsIf only part of the display is readable If you cannot save a file to a floppy drive Back of floppy disk Write-protected Not write-protected If you have problems with a hard drive PC Card ProblemsUnder Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start Error messages appear General Program ProblemsIf Your Computer Gets Wet Program crashes If You Drop or Damage Your Computer What Is a Driver? Resolving Other Technical ProblemsDrivers Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesIdentifying Drivers Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XPRestoring Your Operating System Select a restore point and click Next Enabling System Restore Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities To use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter Solving Problems Adding and Replacing Parts Adding and Replacing PartsAdding Memory Adding and Replacing Parts Adding a Mini PCI Card Adding and Replacing Parts Antenna connectors on card Antenna cables Replacing the Hard Drive M2.5 x 5-mm screw Adding and Replacing Parts Adding and Replacing Parts Adding and Replacing Parts Appendix Specifications Smart Card Ports and ConnectorsMemory Video CommunicationsAudio Display Battery Physical AC AdapterEnvironmental Viewing the System Setup Screens Standard SettingsSystem Setup Screens Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot Sequence Enter the system setup program a Turn on your computer Performing a One-Time BootChanging Printer Modes Changing COM Ports Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals FCC Notices U.S. Only Contacting Dell Macrovision Product Notice 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 Area Codes Local Numbers, Toll-Free Numbers 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 Appendix 119 IndexIndex 120 121 See UPS 122