Dell E520 service manual What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers, Reinstalling Drivers

Models: E520

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Advanced Troubleshooting: Dell Dimension E520 Service Manual

(Custom Test only)

The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen.

NOTE: The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.

Parameters

Allows you to customize the test, if applicable, by changing the test settings.

(Custom Test only)

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 as a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only the driver for that device recognizes.

Required drivers are already installed on your computer—no further installation or configuration is needed.

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.

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.

Windows XP

1.Click the Start button, then click Control Panel.

2.Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3.Click System.

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

5.Click Device Manager.

6.Scroll down the list of devices and check for an exclamation point (a circle with a [!]) next to the device name.

If an exclamation point appears next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver.

Reinstalling Drivers

file:///T/htdocs/systems/dimE520/en/SM_EN/adtshoot.htm[10/16/2012 1:04:50 PM]

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Dell E520 service manual What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers, Reinstalling Drivers