Other technical problems, General hardware problems | Dell G7279

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BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY — If your computer has a CD-RW drive or a zip drive installed, see the drive’s documentation for instructions.

ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE NOT MADE AN ERROR WHILE ENTERING DATA — See the program documentation to

ensure that the values or characters you are entering are valid.

CHECK FOR VIRUSES — Use a virus-scanning program to check the hard drive, floppy disks, or CDs.

RESTART THE COMPUTER — Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and then shut down your computer through the Start menu instead of by pressing the power button. Otherwise, you may lose data.

CHECK FOR COMPATIBILITY —

•Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer and that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information.

•If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

ENSURE THAT YOU PROPERLY INSTALLED AND CONFIGURED THE PROGRAM — See the software documentation for information. If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

Other technical problems

GO TO THE DELL SUPPORT WEBSITE — Go to support.dell.com for help with general usage, installation, and troubleshooting questions.The support website offers several different tools to help you, such as Dell Forum—a chat room where you can communicate with other Dell customers about their computers and gain access to technical support through e-mail. See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 88 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

CALL DELL — If you cannot solve your problem using the Dell Support website or e-mail service, call Dell for technical assistance (see page 90). See "Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)" on page 88 for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell.

General hardware problems

If your computer exhibits one or more of the following symptoms, a device conflict may exist:

•Your computer locks up, particularly while using a specific device.

•A recently added device does not work.

•A sound card emits noise or demonstrates other problems.

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Solving Problems

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Dell G7279, MTC2, DMC manual Other technical problems, General hardware problems

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows Advanced Troubleshooting Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Adding or Replacing a Second Hard Drive Appendix Safety Instructions Safety Instructions W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Finding Information for Your Computer Microsoft Windows License Label Downloads Drivers, patches, and software updates Support questionsOnline courses Technical support Setting Up a Printer Connecting a Parallel PrinterSetting Up and Using Your Computer Printer Cable Parallel connector on computer Connecting a USB PrinterScrews Clips Parallel printer Cable Notches Connecting to a Network Adapter Setting Up a Home and Office NetworkUSB connector on computer Connecting to the Internet Network Setup WizardClick Checklist for creating a network Network wall jack Network cable Click Connect to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet ConnectionIf you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWsCopying CDs and DVDs Click Exact Copy Helpful Tips Hyper-ThreadingClick Hardware and click Device Manager Turning Off Your Computer Booting to a USB DeviceTurn Off Computer Turn off computer window, click Turn off Finding Solutions Solving Problems W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m See Battery Problems Drive ProblemsFloppy drive problems Finding Help Information CD drive problems Back of floppy disk Write-protected Not write- protected Problems writing to a CD-RW drive DVD drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Hard drive problems Error Messages General Problems Computer stops responding Other software problems Program stops respondingProgram crashes repeatedly Solid blue screen appears Other technical problems General hardware problems Ieee 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Network integrity Power ProblemsSpeed light Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers No sound from headphones Video and Monitor ProblemsIf the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Solving Problems Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Diagnostic LightsAdvanced Troubleshooting Identified a faulty module or ErrorIf available, install properly If the problem persists, contact If the problem persists or Different connector and restartYou have identified a faulty Connector or reinstalled all Connector placement That you are installing areMemory module/memory Requirements see Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main MenuTab Function What Is a Driver? Reinstalling DriversDrivers Identifying Drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Manually Reinstalling DriversRestoring Your Operating System Click Roll Back Driver Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Creating a Restore PointClick System Restore Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Enabling System Restore Click Performance and MaintenanceClick the System Restore tab Click Performance and Maintenance and click System Advanced Troubleshooting Front View Front and Back View of the ComputerOn computers with an optional floppy drive Adding Parts Computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown Back View Network jack Removing the Computer Cover Guide Computer cover Cover latch Back of computer Looking Inside Your Computer System Board Adding Cards Securing screw Filler bracket Crossbar Card Card cutoutNot fully seated card Fully seated card Bracket Adding or Replacing the AGP Card Installing an AGP Card Notch Lever Tab Card clip AGP connectorPCI connector AGP card Card clip lever Slot connector Adding or Replacing a Second Hard Drive Screws Existing hard driveDrive bracket Drive bracket Adding a Floppy Drive Middle tab Side hinges Front panel Top tabBottom tab Tabs Insert Top bracket screw Drive bracket Floppy drive Side hinges Front panel Adding a Second CD or DVD Drive Bottom tab Adding Parts Insert Tabs Drive Alignment screws Drive Securing screw Side hinges Front panel Adding Memory Memory Installation GuidelinesDDR Memory Overview Installing Memory Securing clips Connector Notch Replacing the Computer Cover Specifications System InformationExpansion Bus Appendix Ports and Connectors MemoryOther factors Drives Power VideoAudio Network Overview System SetupEnvironmental System Setup Screens Viewing SettingsKeys Action Option Settings Boot SequenceChanging Boot Sequence for the Current Boot Clearing Forgotten Passwords Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots Replacing the Battery Battery Battery socket Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyFCC Notices U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Class a Class B Contacting Dell FCC Identification Information Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Area Codes Local Numbers, Toll-Free Numbers Appendix 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 Index Index 107 Compatibility, 27 restore to previous operating Index Help files accessing, 9108 Index Wizards Program Compatibility Wizard Wizard, 27 reinstalling, 47 scanner, 34 System RestoreIndex 109 Index 110