Dell Diagnostics | Dell Inspiron 1150 guide

7

Solving Problems

Dell Diagnostics

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions at the front of this document (see page 9).

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.

NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell.

1Shut down the computer.

2If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.

3Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

4Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE: If you cannot see anything on your display, hold down <Fn> and press the computer’s power button to begin the Dell Diagnostics. The computer automatically runs the Pre-boot System Assessment.

NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities CD.

If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.

Solving Problems

59

Image 59

Dell Inspiron 1150 owner manual When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Contents

Dell Inspiron Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Using a Battery Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Solving Problems Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only System and Battery Performance Optimization Limited Warranties and Return Policy Safety General Safety Air Travel Safety PowerSafety Battery Safety EMC Instructions When Using Your Computer Safety Ergonomic Computing Habits Safety Battery Disposal W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Finding Information Click Dell Inspiron Help What Are You Looking For?Click User and system guides and click User’s guides Dell Support Website support.dell.com Finding Information Front View Tour of Your Computer Keyboard Status Lights Device Status Lights Left Side View PC Card slot CD or DVD drive Audio connectors Right Side View Modem connector Air vents Modem Connector Back View AC adapter AC adapter connector Video Connector Bottom View Memory module cover Battery latch release Setting Up Your Internet Connection Connecting to the Internet If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Modem and Internet Connection Problems Close the Phone and Modems Options window Mail ProblemsTransferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up Your Computer Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a USB Printer Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Printer ProblemsPower Protection Devices Surge Protectors Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power SuppliesTurning Off Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Battery Performance Using a Battery Low-Battery Warning Checking the Battery ChargeCharging the Battery Power Meter Battery and Power Problems Removing a BatteryInstalling a Battery Storing a Battery If battery life is short If the battery is not charging Reprogramming the Button Dell AccessDirect ButtonNumeric Keypad CD or DVD Tray Power ManagementKeyboard Shortcuts System Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Speaker Functions Customizing the Touch Pad Touch Pad External Keyboard Problems Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Unexpected Characters If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive tray Using CDs and DVDsCD or DVD Problems If you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD If the CD-RW drive stops writing Sound and Speaker ProblemsIf you have a problem with integrated speakers If you have a problem with external speakers Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Helpful Tips Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Network Setup Wizard Connecting to a Network Adapter Infrastructure network Network ProblemsConnecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining Your Network Type Networks Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Wireless network properties window appears Click Properties Configuring Security Settings Optional Setting Up a Home and Office Network Click Properties Setting Up a Home and Office Network When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Dell Diagnostics Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Tab Function Error Messages If the display is blank Video and Display Problems Click Appearance and Themes If the display is difficult to read If you cannot save a file to a floppy drive Scanner ProblemsDrive Problems If only part of the display is readable Under Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start If you have problems with a hard drive Program crashes PC Card ProblemsGeneral Program Problems Error messages appear If Your Computer Gets Wet Resolving Other Technical Problems Drivers What Is a Driver?If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Identifying Drivers Reinstalling DriversUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Using the Drivers and Utilities CD Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Using System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Enabling System Restore Undoing the Last System Restore Preparing to Boot From the Operating System CD Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPBefore You Reinstall Reinstalling Windows XP Completing the GUI Setup Starting Windows XP Setup Reinstalling Drivers and Software Completing the Operating System Setup Solving Problems Shutting Down Your Computer Before You BeginRecommended Tools Hard Drive Adding and Replacing Parts Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory Captive screw Modem and Mini PCI Card Replacing the Modem Adding a Mini PCI Card Mini PCI card CD or DVD Drive Remove the screw labeled O next to the memory module cover Keyboard Keyboard screws Keyboard connector Interface connector Adding and Replacing Parts PC Card SpecificationsMicroprocessor System Information Communications Ports and ConnectorsMemory Audio Video XGA Display Touch Pad Battery 8-cellKeyboard AC Adapter Battery 12-cell Environmental Physical Overview Using the System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options System Setup ScreensChanging the Boot Sequence 100 System and Battery Performance OptimizationOptimizing Power Consumption and Battery Charge Time System Performance Overview 101 Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Variable Speed Fan 102 Country City Department Name or Service AreaContacting Dell Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals 103 104 Costa Rica 105China Xiamen Colombia Country City 106 Corporate 107France Paris Montpellier Website support.euro.dell.com Home and Small Business 108 Jamaica 109Ireland Cherrywood Website support.euro.dell.com Italy Milan Website support.euro.dell.com Korea Seoul 110Japan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.com 111 New Zealand 112Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Amsterdam Website support.euro.dell.com 113 114 115 Uruguay 116Turks and Caicos Islands Bracknell Website support.euro.dell.com Virgin Islands 117A. Austin, Texas Business 118 Regulatory Notices 119 Dell Software License AgreementNOM Information Mexico Only 120 Limited Warranty 121 What is covered by this limited warranty?What is not covered by this limited warranty? Limited Warranties and Return Policy 122 How long does this limited warranty last?What do I do if I need warranty service? What will Dell do? 123 What if I purchased a service contract?May I transfer the limited warranty? How will you fix my product? 124 Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only 125 126 127 Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada Only Return Policy Dell Software and Peripherals Canada OnlyThird-Party Software and Peripherals Products Dell-Branded Peripheral Products Limitation and Statutory Rights GuaranteeExclusions Making a Claim 130 Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty What are Errata? 131 Limited Warranties and Return Policy D ex 134 Index See UPS 136 Index