Troubleshooting Tips, Power Problems | Dell A100, A180 manual

Troubleshooting Tips

Follow these tips when troubleshooting your computer:

•If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed (see your Service Manual at support.dell.com).

•If a device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.

•If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. This message may help support personnel to diagnose and fix the problem(s).

•If an error message occurs in a program, see the program documentation.

NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view.

Troubleshooting

Power Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety information that shipped with your computer.

IF T H E P O W E R L I G H T I S O F F — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.

•Reseat the power cable in the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet.

•Bypass power strips, power extension cables, and other power protection devices to verify that the computer turns on properly.

•Ensure that any power strips being used are plugged into an electrical outlet and are turned on.

•Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

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Dell A100, A180 specifications Troubleshooting Tips, Power Problems, Follow these tips when troubleshooting your computer

Contents

Setup Quick Reference Guide Model Dcmtlf July U792G Contents Dell Technical Update Service Reinstalling SoftwareFinding Information Technical Support and Customer AutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Contents Front View About Your Computer Back View Vostro A100 Back Panel Connectors Vostro A180 Quick Setup Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Internet service Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Connecting to the Internet Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Setting Up Your Internet Connection Transferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up Your Computer Processor SpecificationsMB for Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor System Information Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Interrupt levels Bios chip Nvram 10/100 communicationMemory Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Type Integrated Intel integrated video GMA Video Vostro A100Than 512 MB Audio Expansion Bus Vostro A100 Vostro A180 PCI Express lane PCI Express OnePCI Express lanes Drives Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Connectors Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Two 7-pin connectors Four 7-pin connectors System board connectorsOne 34-pin connector One 4-pin connector Controls and Lights Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Controls and Lights Vostro A100 Green light Power on stateRear of computer Yellow blinking light Physical Power Environmental 15.2 to 3048 m -50 to 10,000 ft Altitude15.2 to 10,668 m -50 to 35,000 ft Airborne contaminant level Power Lights TroubleshootingTools Beep Codes Code Description Suggested Remedy Repetitive Code Description DA T a Error The hard drive cannot read the data Error Messages T E N D E D M E M O R Y S I Z E H a S Do not use these characters in filenames Y B O a R D C L O C K L I N E F a I L U R E For C E N S E D C O N T E N T I S N O T a C C E S S I B L E I N OP E R a T I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D See the program documentation for installation instructions Click Uninstall T R E a D Y Insert a disk into the drive and try again System Messages R D -D I S K D R I V E R E a D F a I L U R E Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems Dell DiagnosticsTo start the Hardware Troubleshooter Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Type 1 to start the CD menu and press Enter to proceed Insert the Drivers and Utilities media Troubleshooting Tips Power ProblemsFollow these tips when troubleshooting your computer Memory Problems Ensure that the display is connected and powered onReseat the memory modules see your Lockups and Software Problems Computer does not start up Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics onComputer stops responding Program stops responding Then reinstall the programProgram crashes repeatedly Solid blue screen appears Dell Technical Update Service Other software problems Troubleshooting Drivers Reinstalling SoftwareIdentifying Drivers Click Properties→ Device Manager Click the Drivers tab→ Roll Back Driver Using the Drivers and Utilities Media At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next Manually Reinstalling Drivers Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Undoing the Last System Restore Starting System RestoreClick Start Click Undo my last restoration and click Next Using Dell Factory Image Restore Dell Factory Image Restore Windows Vista OnlySelect Repair Your Computer Using the Operating System Media Before you Begin Click Dell Factory Image RestoreClick Finish to restart the computer If the Install Windows message appears, click Exit Reinstalling Windows Operating System Media Finding Information Safety, Regulatory, Warranty, and Support Document/Media/Label Contents Drivers and Utilities MediaBe found at support.dell.com Documentation Support.dell.com Document/Media/Label ContentsDell Technology Guide Microsoft Windows License Label Finding Information Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on Getting HelpObtaining Assistance Technical Support and Customer Service Online Services Automated Order-Status Service AutoTech Service Product Information Problems With Your Order Before You Call Name Date Diagnostics Checklist For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW Dell Contacting Dell Getting Help Index Beep codesContacting Dell, 63 License label Media Operating System media, 59 operating system product key Operating system Dell Factory Image Restore, 56 media Setup computer Index Index