Dell NY105 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting 75

Troubleshooting

NOTE: For troubleshooting specific to the Microsoft Windows Vista® operating system, see the Help and

Support Center.

Dell™ Technical Update Service

The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware

updates for your computer. The service is free and can be customized for content, format, and how

frequently you receive notifications.

To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service, go to support.dell.com/technicalupdate.

Dell Diagnostics

Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page147) as you complete these

checks.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Lockups and Software

Problems" on page87 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

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

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media is optional and may not ship with your computer.

Enter the System Setup Program (see "System Setup Program" on page97), review your computer’s

configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and

is active.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

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 (see "Contacting Dell" on page147).

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Contents 1 Finding Information 2 About Your Computer 3 Transferring Information to a New Computer 4 Using a Battery 5 Using the Keyboard 6 Using the Display 7 Setting Up and Using Networks 8 Using Multimedia 9Using Cards 10 Securing Your Computer 11 Troubleshooting Page 12 System Setup Program 13 Reinstalling Software 14 Adding and Replacing Parts 15 Dell QuickSet 16 Traveling With Your Computer 17 Specifications 18 Getting Help 19 Appendix Finding Information NOTE: 12 NOTE: 14 , Dell QuickSet Help To vi ew NOTE: About Your Computer Front View Page NOTE: 18 Left Side View Page Right Side View Back View 22 Page Page Bottom View Page Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows XP Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media Microsoft Windows Vista Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista Page Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge Low-Battery Warning Conserving Battery Power Power Management Modes Standby and Sleep Mode Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Accessing Power Options Properties Charging the Battery Replacing the Battery Storing a Battery Page Page Using the Keyboard 40 Battery Display Functions Power Management Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick Cap Using the Display Adjusting Brightness Using the Ambient Light Sensor Switching the Video Image Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Dual Independent Display Mode Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Wireless Local Area Network What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Checking Your Wireless Network Card Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem Connecting to a WLAN Page Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network) What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Managing Your Network Settings Through the Dell QuickSet Location Profiler Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Microsoft Windows Firewall Page Page Using Multimedia Playing Media Copying Media How to Copy Media Using Blank Media Helpful Tips Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Using Cards Card Types PC Cards ExpressCards Smart Cards Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard PC Card ExpressCards Removing a Card or Blank Page Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock Smart Card About Smart Cards Installing a Smart Card Passwords About Passwords Using a Primary (or System) Password Using an Administrator Password Using a Hard Drive Password Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Enabling the TPM Feature Security Management Software Activating the Security Management Software Using the Security Management Software Computer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Page Troubleshooting Dell Technical Update Service Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Starting the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities Media Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Dell Support Utility Accessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support Icon Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Drive Problems Media drive problems If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Hard drive problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Page Error Messages Page Page IEEE 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems External Keyboard problems Unexpected characters Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start up The computer stops responding A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system Memory Problems Network Problems General Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network) PC Card Problems Power Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking Power Considerations Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable System Setup Program Overview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot Sequence Changing Printer Modes Changing COM Ports Page Reinstalling Software Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Page Using the Hardware Troubleshooter Tool Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Vista Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Using the Operating System Media Page Page Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Hinge Cover Keyboard Page Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Coin-Cell Battery Memory Page Page Page Page Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Card Page Mobile Broadband Card Page Page Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Hard Drive Page Media Bay Removing Media Bay Devices FCM (Flash Cache Module) Page Page Dell QuickSet Page Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Travel Tips Traveling by Air Specifications Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Getting Help Obtaining Assistance Technical Support and Customer Service DellConnect Online Services AutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your Order Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Contacting Dell For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355). Page Appendix Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad Mouse Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Page Glossary A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S Page T U V W X Z