Dell 7500 Basic Troubleshooting

support.dell.com Basic Troubleshooting 3-1

CHAPTER 3

Basic Troubleshooting

This chapter guides you through some initial checks and procedures that can solve

basic computer problems. It also provides detailed troubleshooting information and

procedures to solve more complex problems. Complete the checks in this chapter

before you call Dell for technical assistance; even if these checks do not provide an

immediate solution, they can help technicians help you diagnose and fix the problem.

NOTES: When you see the question “Is the problem resolved?” in a troubleshooting

procedure, repeat the operation that caused the problem to see if it still occurs.

Before you begin any of the troubleshooting procedures, make sure the Quiet Boot

option is set to Disabled in the Main menu of the Setup program. See Appendix B,

“Using the Setup Program,” for information on using the Setup program.

CAUTION: The only time you should ever access the inside of your computer

is when you are installing memory modules.

CAUTION: To help prevent possible damage to the system board, wait

5 seconds after turning off the computer before you disconnect a

peripheral device or remove a memory module.

Checking the Basics

To perform an initial check of your computer, perform the following steps.

NOTE: If your computer is wet or damaged, refer to “Troubleshooting a Wet

Computer” or “Troubleshooting a Damaged Computer” found later in this chapter.

1.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 the problem is resolved, check any documentation that came with the option

you attempted to install or that describes the change you made. In particular,

read any text files (such as readme.txt) included with the software package or

hardware product; such files contain information that updates or supplements

the documentation for the software or hardware. Typically, readme files provide

installation information, describe new product enhancements or corrections that

have not yet been documented, and list known problems.

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Safety Instructions Page Ergonomic Computing Habits Page When Removing or Installing Memory Modules Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Page Preface About This Guide Warranty and Return Policy Information Other Documents You May Need Notational Conventions Notes, Notices, and Cautions Page Page Contents Chapter 1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Chapter 2 Options and Upgrades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Chapter 3 Basic Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Page Chapter 4 Installing System Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Chapter 5 Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Appendix C System Messages and Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 Appendix D Regulatory Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1 Index Figures Tables Page Page Page Page CHAPTER 1 Introduction Hardware Features Page Front View of the Computer Figure 1-1. Front View of the Computer Back View of the Computer Page Software Features Available Options and Upgrades Getting Help CHAPTER 2 Options and Upgrades Figure 2-1. Using the AC Adapter Using the AC Adapter Using the Media Bay Figure 2-2. Removing a Device From the Media Bay Using the MegaBay Figure 2-3. Removing a Device From the MegaBay Installing a Battery Figure 2-4. Adjusting the Battery Bezel Attaching the Composite TV-Out Adapter Cable Figure 2-5. Using the Composite TV-Out Adapter Cable Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive Figure 2-6. Removing the Internal Hard-Disk Drive Returning a Hard-Disk Drive to Dell Figure 2-7. Repackaging the Hard-Disk Drive Installing Memory Modules Figure 2-8. Removing the Memory Module Cover Figure 2-9. Removing a Memory Module Figure 2-10. Installing a Memory Module Creating the Save-to-Disk Suspend File Port Replicator Connecting Other External Devices Page CHAPTER 3 Basic Troubleshooting Checking the Basics Checking Connections Page Page Look and Listen Setup Options Table 3-1. Boot Routine Indications Finding Software Solutions Installing and Configuring Software Start-Up Files Using Software Error Messages Input Errors Memory-Resident Programs Program Conflicts Avoiding Interrupt Assignment Conflicts Table 3-2. Default IRQ Line Assignments Troubleshooting Procedures Troubleshooting a Wet Computer Table 3-2. Default IRQ Line Assignments (continued) Page Troubleshooting a Damaged Computer Troubleshooting a Power Failure Total Power Failure When Using the AC Adapter Total Power Failure When Using a Battery Page No Power to a Part of the Computer Troubleshooting the Diskette Drive Troubleshooting the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive Troubleshooting the Hard-Disk Drive Page Troubleshooting an External Keyboard Troubleshooting Memory Troubleshooting the Display Troubleshooting an External Monitor Page Page Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device T roubleshooting the Infrared Port Troubleshooting the Touch Pad Troubleshooting Audio Functions Running the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics Figure 3-1. Diagnostics Menu Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Figure 3-2. Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Using the Dell Diagnostics Menu Keys Device Group Device Test Versions Page CHAPTER 4 Installing System Software Installing the Windows 98 Operating System Installing Drivers and Utilities for Windows 98 Installing the Audio Driver Installing the Video Driver Installing the Touch Pad Driver Installing the Internal Modem Driver (Optional) Installing the Software DVD Decoder (Optional) Creating the Save-to-Disk Suspend File Installing the System Help Installing Help From the CD Downloading Help From the Support Web Site Installing Drivers and Utilities for Windows NT Creating the Save-to-Disk Suspend Partition Installing the Video Driver Changing Video Resolution Installing the Audio Driver Installing the Touch Pad Driver Installing the Power Management Configuration Utility Installing the PC Card Configuration Utility Installing the Internal Modem Driver (Optional) Installing the System Help Installing Help From the CD Downloading Help From the Support Web Site Contacting Dell CHAPTER 5 Getting Help Technical Assistance Help Tools World Wide Web AutoTech Service TechFax Service TechConnect BBS Problems With Your Order Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Figure 5-1. Diagnostics Checklist Dell Contact Numbers Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page APPENDIX A Technical Specifications Table A-1. Technical Specifications Page Page Page Page Page APPENDIX B Using the Setup Program Accessing the Setup Program Main Menu Table B-1. Main Menu Options System Devices Menu Table B-2. System Devices Menu Options Table B-2. System Devices Menu Options (continued) Security Menu Page Table B-4. Power Menu Options Table B-4. Power Menu Options (continued) Boot Menu Exit Menu Table B-6. Exit Menu Options Page APPENDIX C System Messages and Beep Codes System Messages Table C-1. System Error Messages Page Table C-1. System Error Messages (continued) System Beep Codes Table C-2. Beep Codes Table C-2. Beep Codes (continued) Page APPENDIX D Regulatory Notices FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Page Fax Branding IC Notice (Canada Only) Modem Regulatory Information CE Notice (European Union) Battery Disposal EN 55022 Compliance (Czech Republic Only) VCCI Notice (Japan Only) Class A ITE VCCI-A Figure D-1. VCCI Class A ITE Regulatory Mark Class B ITE Figure D-2. VCCI Class B ITE Regulatory Mark MOC Notice (South Korea Only) Page Polish Center for Testing and Certification Notice Wymagania Polskiego Centrum Bada i Certyfikacji Pozostae instrukcje bezpieczestwa NOM Information (Mexico Only) Informacin para NOM (nicamente para Mxico) BSMI Notice (Taiwan Only) APPENDIX E Warranty, Return Policy, and Year 2000 Statement of Compliance Limited Three-Year Warranty (U.S. Only) Coverage During Year One Coverage During Years Two and Three General Provisions Limited Three-Year Warranty (Canada Only) Coverage During Year One Coverage During Years Two and Three General Provisions Total Satisfaction Return Policy (U.S. and Canada Only) Year 2000 Statement of Compliance for Dell-Branded Hardware Products Previous Products Software Additional Information Macrovision Product Notice Page Index A B C D E F G H I N O P R S T U V W X