Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance | Dell A100, A180 specs

Getting Help

Obtaining Assistance

CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer cover, first disconnect the computer power and modem cables from all electrical outlets. Follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.

If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem:

1See "Troubleshooting Tips" on page 45 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing.

2See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics.

3Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 68.

Getting Help

4Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support (support.dell.com) for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures. See "Online Services" on page 64 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online.

5If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 69.

NOTE: Call Dell Support from a telephone at or near the affected computer so that the support staff can assist you with any necessary procedures.

NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries.

When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If

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Dell A100, A180 specifications Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance, Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on

Contents

Setup Quick Reference Guide Model Dcmtlf July U792G Contents Technical Support and Customer Reinstalling SoftwareDell Technical Update Service Finding Information 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 System Information Vostro A100 Vostro A180 SpecificationsProcessor MB for Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor Interrupt levels Bios chip Nvram 10/100 communicationMemory Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Audio Video Vostro A100Type Integrated Intel integrated video GMA Than 512 MB Expansion Bus Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Drives Vostro A100 Vostro A180 PCI Express OnePCI Express lane PCI Express lanes Connectors Vostro A100 Vostro A180 One 4-pin connector System board connectorsTwo 7-pin connectors Four 7-pin connectors One 34-pin connector Controls and Lights Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Yellow blinking light Green light Power on stateControls and Lights Vostro A100 Rear of computer Physical Power Environmental Airborne contaminant level Altitude15.2 to 3048 m -50 to 10,000 ft 15.2 to 10,668 m -50 to 35,000 ft Beep Codes TroubleshootingPower Lights Tools 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 Solid blue screen appears Then reinstall the programProgram stops responding Program crashes repeatedly Dell Technical Update Service Other software problems Troubleshooting Click Properties→ Device Manager Reinstalling SoftwareDrivers Identifying Drivers 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 Click Undo my last restoration and click Next Starting System RestoreUndoing the Last System Restore Click Start 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 Documentation Document/Media/Label Contents Drivers and Utilities MediaSafety, Regulatory, Warranty, and Support Be found at support.dell.com Microsoft Windows License Label Document/Media/Label ContentsSupport.dell.com Dell Technology Guide 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