Dell PP04X Drive Problems

Troubleshooting 83

Clicking the Dell Support Icon

Click or right-click the icon to perform the following tasks:

• Check your computing environment.

• View the Dell Support Utility settings.

• Access the help file for the Dell Support Utility.

• View frequently asked questions.

• Learn more about the Dell Support Utility.

• Turn the Dell Support Utility off.

Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon

Double-click the icon to manually check your computing environment, view frequently asked

questions, access the help file for the Dell Support Utility, and view Dell Support settings.

For more information about the Dell Support Utility, click the question mark (?) at the top of the Dell™

Support screen.

Drive Problems

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

Product

Information Guide

.

Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page139) as you complete these

checks.

ENSURE THAT MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE

Windows XP:

Click Start→ My Computer.

Windows Vist a®:

Click the Windows Vista Start button → Computer.

If the floppy, CD, or DVD drive, is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and

remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.

TEST THE DRIVE

• Insert another floppy disk, CD, or DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original one is defective.

• Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.

CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK —See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page77.

ENSURE THAT THE CD IS SNAPPED ONTO THE SPINDLE

CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS

CHECK FOR HARDWARE INCOMPATIBILITIES —See "Using the Hardware Troubleshooter Tool" on page105.

RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS —

See

"Dell Diagnostics" on page79

.

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents 1 Finding Information 2 About Your Computer 3 Transferring Information to a New Computer 4 Using a Battery 5 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 6 Using the Display 7 Using Multimedia 8 Setting Up and Using Networks 9 Using Cards 10 Securing Your Computer 11 Cleaning Your Computer 12 Troubleshooting Page 13 System Setup Program 14 Reinstalling Software 15 Adding and Replacing Parts 16 Dell QuickSet 17 Traveling With Your Computer 18 Getting Help Page Finding Information NOTE: 12 NOTE: NOTE: Page About Your Computer Front View 16 NOTE: Left Side View Page Right Side View Back View Page 22 Bottom View 24 Transferring Information to a New Computer Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Windows XP Page 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 Mode Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Charging the Battery Replacing the Battery Storing a Battery Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad Key Combinations System Functions 36 Battery Wireless Display Functions Power Management Speaker Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Page Page Using the Display Display Properties Adjusting Brightness Switching the Video Image Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Using ATI Catalyst Control Center Launching Catalyst Control Center Using an External Monitor or Projector Using an External Monitor Extending Your Computer Display Changing Your Primary Display Saving Battery Power Page Page Page Using Multimedia Playing CDs or DVDs Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture If the Computer Is Turned Off or in Hibernate Mode Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device S-Video and Standard Audio Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Page Page Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up a Network Wireless Local Area Network What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Checking Your Wireless Network Card Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem Connecting to a WLAN Page Mobile Broadband (WWAN) Establishing a Mobile Broadband Network Connection Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Managing Your Network Settings Microsoft Windows Firewall Page Using Cards Card Types PC Cards PC Card Blanks Extended PC Cards Page Removing a PC Card or Blank Page Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock Passwords Using a Primary/System Password Using an Administrator Password Using a Hard Drive Password Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Enabling the TPM Feature Computer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Page Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad Mouse Cleaning a Non-Optical Mouse Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs 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 Page Dell Support Utility Accessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support Icon Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Drive Problems CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 86 Error Messages ( Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page139) as you complete these ). Page 88 Add or Remove Programs Change/Remove or 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 uses an earlier operating system version A solid blue screen appears Memory Problems Network Problems PC Card or ExpressCard Problems Contact Dell (see ). Power Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page139) as you complete these Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking Power Considerations Printer Problems Scanner Problems 96 Sound and Speaker Problems Try adjusting the settings. Mouse Printers and Other Hardware Video and Display Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page139) as you complete these 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 Performing a One-Time Boot Changing COM Ports Page Reinstalling Software Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Using the Hardware Troubleshooter Tool Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Using the Operating System Media Page Page Page Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Hard Drive Page Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Hinge Cover Memory DIMM A Connector Page DIMM B Connector Page Mini-Card Page Page Keyboard Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Coin-Cell Battery About the Media Bay About the Device Security Screw Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices Page Page Dell QuickSet Page Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Travel Tips Traveling by Air 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 Product Information Guide Page Specifications Page Page Page NOTE: Page Page Page Appendix FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Macrovision Product Notice Glossary A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W X Z