4Contents
Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
System Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware
Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Troubleshooting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Memory Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Lockups and Software Problems. . . . . . . . . . 46
Dell Technical Update Service . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Dell Support Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
5Reinstalling Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities . . . . . . . . . . 52
Restoring Your Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore. . . 54
Using Dell Factory Image Restore . . . . . . . . . 56
Using the Operating System Media. . . . . . . . . 57
6Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Obtaining Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Technical Support and Customer Service . . . . . 60
DellConnect™. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
AutoTech Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Automated Order-Status Service. . . . . . . . . . 61
Problems With Your Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61