Identifying Drivers, Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities | Dell 9100

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Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.

1Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3Click System.

4In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.

5Click Device Manager.

6Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon.

If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver (see page 90) or install a new driver.

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and Utilities CD provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.

1Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

2Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3Click System.

4In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.

5Click Device Manager.

6Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties.

7Click the Drivers tab.

8Click Roll Back Driver.

If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore (see page 93) to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver.

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Solving Problems

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Dell 9100 owner manual Identifying Drivers, Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

Contents

Dell Inspiron Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Optimizing Performance Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Setting Up a Home and Office Network Adding and Replacing Parts 159 Safety General Safety Power Safety Battery When Using Your Computer Safety Air TravelSafety EMC Instructions Safety Ergonomic Computing Habits Safety When Working Inside Your Computer Safety Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Safety Battery Disposal Safety Instructions Finding Information How to use standby mode and hibernate mode Warranty, and repair information Finding Information Tour of Your Computer Front View Device Status Lights Tour of Your Computer Keyboard Status Lights Left Side View Audio Connectors Right Side View Back View Video Connector Modem Connector RJ-11 W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Bottom View Tour of Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the InternetSetting Up Your Internet Connection Transferring Information to a New Computer Next window, click the appropriate option Setting Up a Printer Click Finished and restart the new computer Power Protection Devices Connecting a USB PrinterPrinter Cable Surge Protectors Uninterruptible Power SuppliesTurning Off Your Computer Line Conditioners Setting Up Your Computer Optimizing Performance DDR Memory and Processor Front-Side BusHyper-Threading Optimizing Performance Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery MeterMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Charging the Battery Low-Battery WarningCharge Gauge Removing a Battery Installing a Battery Storing a Battery Using a Battery Using the Module Bay About the Module Bay Pull the device out of the module bay Push the new device into the bay until it clicks Device latch release Using the Module Bay Pull the device out of the module bay Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric KeypadKey Combinations Power Management Display FunctionsSpeaker Functions Touch Pad Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick Cap Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad How to Copy a CD or DVD Using CDs, DVDs, and Other MultimediaUsing CDs and DVDs Copying CDs and DVDs Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Helpful Tips Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device Video and Standard Audio Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Pdif digital audio cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Click Close Click OK Setting Up the Dolby Headphone Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network AdapterNetwork Setup Wizard Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining Your Network TypeOn the welcome screen, click Next Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Click Add Configuring Security Settings Optional Setting Up a Home and Office Network Click Properties Setting Up a Home and Office Network Solving Problems Error Messages Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read If you have problems with a hard drive Scanner ProblemsHard Drive Problems If only part of the display is readable PC Card Problems External Keyboard Problems Power Problems Unexpected Characters Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Printer Problems Network Problems General Program ProblemsProgram crashes Program stops responding CD or DVD ProblemsError messages appear Solid blue screen appears If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive tray If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding soundIf the CD-RW drive stops writing Sound and Speaker Problems If you have a problem with integrated speakersIf you have a problem with external speakers Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Click the Start button and click Control Panel Resolving Other Technical Problems What Is a Driver?Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Identifying Drivers Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Select a restore point and click Next Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Using the Dell Diagnostics Undoing the Last System RestoreWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP To reinstall Windows XP, you need the following itemsBefore You Begin Reinstalling Windows XP When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click Next Recommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Shutting Down Your Computer Adding and Replacing Parts Hard Drive 101 Returning a Hard Drive to Dell 102 Memory 103 104 105 Mini PCI Card 106 107 Replace the cover and tighten the captive screw Subwoofer 109 Insert the subwoofer into the compartment within the battery Fans 111 Fan release lever Hinge Covers 113 Left hinge cover Right hinge cover Display 115 Screws labeled D Lift the display out of the computer at a 90-degree angle 117 Keyboard 119 Reserve Battery 120 Card with Bluetooth Wireless Technology 121 Adding and Replacing Parts Specifications Appendix123 124 USB 125 Lvds 126 127 128 Overview Using the System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screens 129 System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options Enabling the Infrared Sensor 131 Contacting Dell Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 Limited Warranties What is covered by this limited warranty?What is not covered by this limited warranty? 149 How long does this limited warranty last? What do I do if I need warranty service?150 How will you fix my product? What if I purchased a service contract?What will Dell do? 151 May I transfer the limited warranty? 152 153 154 Dell Software and Peripherals Canada Only Making a Claim Limitation and Statutory Rights156 Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty 157 158 What are Errata? Index Floppy drive connecting to a USB Programs Device Driver Rollback, 90 enabling display settings for a