Solving Problems | Dell Inspiron 1150 instruction

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7 Solving Problems

Dell Diagnostics	59
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	59
Error Messages	61
Video and Display Problems	62
If the display is blank	62
If the display is difficult to read	63
If only part of the display is readable	64
Scanner Problems	64
Drive Problems	64
If you cannot save a file to a floppy drive	64
If you have problems with a hard drive	65
PC Card Problems	66
General Program Problems	66
A program crashes	66
A program stops responding	66
Error messages appear	66
Resolving Other Technical Problems	67
If Your Computer Gets Wet	67
If You Drop or Damage Your Computer	68
Drivers	68
What Is a Driver?	68
Identifying Drivers	69
Reinstalling Drivers	69
Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP	70
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	71
Using System Restore	71
Creating a Restore Point	71
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State	71
Undoing the Last System Restore	72
Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP	73
Before You Reinstall	73
Reinstalling Windows XP	73

Contents

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Dell Inspiron 1150 owner manual Solving Problems, Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Contents

Dell Inspiron Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Using a Battery Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Solving Problems Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities System and Battery Performance Optimization Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Limited Warranties and Return Policy Safety General Safety Power Safety BatterySafety Air Travel When Using Your Computer Safety EMC Instructions 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 Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here What Are You Looking For? Click User and system guides and click User’s guidesClick Dell Inspiron Help Dell Support Website support.dell.com Finding Information Tour of Your Computer Front View Keyboard Status Lights Device Status Lights PC Card slot CD or DVD drive Audio connectors Left Side View Modem connector Air vents Right Side View Modem Connector Back View AC adapter AC adapter connector Video Connector Memory module cover Battery latch release Bottom View Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Modem and Internet Connection Problems If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Mail Problems Transferring Information to a New ComputerClose the Phone and Modems Options window Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up a Printer Connecting a USB PrinterPrinter Cable Surge Protectors Printer ProblemsPower Protection Devices Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Uninterruptible Power Supplies Turning Off Your ComputerLine Conditioners Setting Up Your Computer Using a Battery Battery Performance Power Meter Checking the Battery ChargeCharging the Battery Low-Battery Warning Storing a Battery Removing a BatteryInstalling a Battery Battery and Power Problems If the battery is not charging If battery life is short Dell AccessDirect Button Numeric KeypadReprogramming the Button System Functions Power ManagementKeyboard Shortcuts CD or DVD Tray Speaker Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Touch Pad or Mouse Problems External Keyboard Problems Unexpected Characters If you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD Using CDs and DVDsCD or DVD Problems If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive tray If you have a problem with external speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsIf you have a problem with integrated speakers If the CD-RW drive stops writing How to Copy a CD or DVD Copying CDs and DVDs Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Helpful Tips Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard Determining Your Network Type Network ProblemsConnecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Infrastructure network Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Networks Wireless network properties window appears Configuring Security Settings Optional Click Properties Setting Up a Home and Office Network Click Properties Setting Up a Home and Office Network Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Option Function Error Messages Tab Function Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read Click Appearance and Themes If only part of the display is readable Scanner ProblemsDrive Problems If you cannot save a file to a floppy drive If you have problems with a hard drive Under Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start Error messages appear PC Card ProblemsGeneral Program Problems Program crashes Resolving Other Technical Problems If Your Computer Gets Wet What Is a Driver? If You Drop or Damage Your ComputerDrivers Reinstalling Drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver RollbackIdentifying Drivers Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP Using the Drivers and Utilities CD Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore Reinstalling Windows XP Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPBefore You Reinstall Preparing to Boot From the Operating System CD Starting Windows XP Setup Completing the GUI Setup Completing the Operating System Setup Reinstalling Drivers and Software Solving Problems Before You Begin Recommended ToolsShutting Down Your Computer Hard Drive Adding and Replacing Parts Memory Returning a Hard Drive to Dell 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 System Information SpecificationsMicroprocessor PC Card Ports and Connectors MemoryCommunications Video Audio Display XGA Battery 8-cell KeyboardTouch Pad Battery 12-cell AC Adapter Physical Environmental Using the System Setup Program Viewing the System Setup ScreensOverview System Setup Screens Changing the Boot SequenceCommonly Used Options System Performance Overview System and Battery Performance OptimizationOptimizing Power Consumption and Battery Charge Time 100 Variable Speed Fan Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only 101 Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Country City Department Name or Service AreaContacting Dell 102 103 104 Colombia 105China Xiamen Costa Rica 106 Country City Home and Small Business 107France Paris Montpellier Website support.euro.dell.com Corporate 108 Italy Milan Website support.euro.dell.com 109Ireland Cherrywood Website support.euro.dell.com Jamaica 110 Japan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.comKorea Seoul 111 Netherlands Amsterdam Website support.euro.dell.com 112Netherlands Antilles New Zealand 113 114 115 Bracknell Website support.euro.dell.com 116Turks and Caicos Islands Uruguay Business 117A. Austin, Texas Virgin Islands Regulatory Notices 118 Dell Software License Agreement NOM Information Mexico Only119 Limited Warranty 120 Limited Warranties and Return Policy What is covered by this limited warranty?What is not covered by this limited warranty? 121 What will Dell do? How long does this limited warranty last?What do I do if I need warranty service? 122 How will you fix my product? What if I purchased a service contract?May I transfer the limited warranty? 123 Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only 124 125 126 Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada Only 127 Dell-Branded Peripheral Products Dell Software and Peripherals Canada OnlyThird-Party Software and Peripherals Products Return Policy Making a Claim GuaranteeExclusions Limitation and Statutory Rights Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty 130 131 What are Errata? Limited Warranties and Return Policy D ex 134 Index See UPS 136 Index