Troubleshooting, Dell Technical Update Service, 107 | Dell TM373

Troubleshooting

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

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 page 123 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

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

NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers.

Enter system setup, review your computer’s configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and is active (see "System Setup Screens" on page 180).

Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from your Drivers and Utilities media (see "Drivers and Utilities Media" on page 13).

Troubleshooting

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Dell TM373, PP06XA owner manual Troubleshooting, Dell Technical Update Service, When to Use the Dell Diagnostics, 107

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m April TM373 Contents Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Accessing Power Options Properties Microsoft Windows Battery Meter Installing an ExpressCard Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Computer, Keyboard, and Display Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem CableMobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Lockups and Software Problems Dell Technical Update ServiceMail and Internet Problems External Keyboard problems 136 128129 130 Before Working Inside Your Computer Technical Support and Customer ServiceAutomated Order-Status Service Turning Off Your Computer 179 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or CreditViewing the System Setup Screens 180 Changing the Boot Sequence 180 Contents My device documentation Finding InformationWhat Are You Looking For? Find It Here Drivers for my computer Diagram may vary What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Warranty information Missing portion or hole to discourage Other Dell customers Upgrades Upgrade information forMeasure,the newly designed Microsoft Windows license label incorporates a Problem How to use Windows XP orHow to work with programs and files How to personalize my desktop Zones, play various LED effects like How to change the LED colors forOther items controlled by Dell QuickSet Finding Information About Your Computer About Your ComputerFront View Display latch Camera indicatorTouch pad Left speaker V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S About Your Computer Dell MediaDirect button About Your Computer Y B O a R D S T a T U S L I G H T S Optical drive DVI-I connector Dual link Video connector USB connectorLeft Side View Sdio Secure Digital SD Off About Your Computer Right Side ViewExpress card slot Security cable slot Back View Off No signal foundAir vents AC adapter connector AC a D a P T E R C O N N E C T O R Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer Hard drive Air vents BatteryBottom View About Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your ComputerConnecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Transferring Information to a New Computer Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a USB Printer USB printer cable USB connector on computer Line Conditioners Power Protection DevicesSurge Protectors Uninterruptible Power Supplies Using the Display Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Using a Projector Microsoft Windows XP Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper Windows Vista Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Microsoft Windows XP Key Combinations Using the KeyboardNumeric Keypad Keyboard Illumination Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions BatteryPower Management Power Options Properties window Touch pad Touch Pad Using the Keyboard Your computer Using a BatteryBattery Performance Microsoft Windows Battery Meter Checking the Battery ChargeDell QuickSet Battery Meter Charge Gauge Low-Battery WarningCheck the Battery Charge Check the Battery Health Standby and Sleep Mode Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Close the display Press FnEsc Hibernate ModePress the power button Close the display Press FnEsc Windows XP Configuring Power Management SettingsCharging the Battery Accessing Power Options Properties Storing a Battery Removing the Battery Using a Battery Using the Camera Using the CameraAccessing the Camera’s Help File Camera Camera indicator Creating a Picture or a Video Manually Adjusting the Camera Settings GamePanel GamePanel toggle button Using GamePanelUsing GamePanel Clock with integrated counter for unread mail GamePanel Applications Playing Media Using MultimediaUsing Multimedia DVD player includes the following basic buttons Using Multimedia Copying CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc BD Media Stop Skip Back Reverse Arrow Left Mute Volume DownVolume Up Using Blank CD, DVD, and BD Media How to Copy a CD, DVD or BD Media Type Read Write Rewritable Helpful Tips Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Dell MediaDirect button Using Multimedia Using Dell MediaDirectIf the computer is turned on or in standby or sleep mode If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device Connector Using Multimedia Video TV-out connectorConnector Video and Standard Audio Audio connector Standard S-video cable Video cable Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Video cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Audio input connectorStandard audio cable Using Multimedia Composite video adapter Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Pdif digital audio cable Component Video and Standard Audio Component video adapter Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Component video-output connectors DVI to Hdmi and Standard Audio Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Windows Vista ExpressCard/34 Using CardsUsing Cards ExpressCards ExpressCard Blanks Installing an ExpressCard Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Secure Digital SD Memory Card Reader Memory Card Blanks Installing a Memory Card Removing a Memory Card or Blank Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up and Using NetworksConnecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Windows XP Setting Up a Network What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Wireless Local Area NetworkChecking Your Wireless Network Card Start Button and Connect To Option Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting to a Wlan Completing the Connection to the Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Your order confirmation Microsoft Windows Help and Support Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card 100 Connecting to a Mobile Broadband NetworkEnabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card 101 Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator 102 Securing Your Computer Securing Your ComputerSecurity Cable Lock 103 104 Passwords 105 Cleaning Your ComputerCleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display 106 CDs, DVDs and BDs When to Use the Dell Diagnostics TroubleshootingDell Technical Update Service Dell Diagnostics During the assessment, answer any questions that appear Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard DrivePress and hold the Fn key while powering the computer on 109 OptionFunction Dell Diagnostics Main Menu110 Option Function Tab Function Dell Support Utility111 112 Drive ProblemsClick the Dell Support icon in the notification area 113 Optical drive problemsProblems writing to a CD-RW, DVD+/-RW, or BD-RE drive 114 Mail and Internet ProblemsHard drive problems 115 Error Messages 116 117 118 119 120 ExpressCard Problems 121 Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsKeyboard Problems 122 External Keyboard problems Computer stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer does not start 124 Dell MediaDirect problemsSolid blue screen appears 125 Other software problems 126 Memory ProblemsNetwork Problems Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on 127 Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan 128 Power Problems 129 Printer Problems Scanner Problems 131 Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers 132 Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsNo sound from headphones 133 Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is blank 134 If the display is difficult to read 135 What Is a Driver?Drivers If only part of the display is readable Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing Windows Device Driver Rollback 137 Using the Drivers and Utilities Media Troubleshooting 139 140 Restoring Your Operating System 141 Using Microsoft Windows System RestoreStarting System Restore Undoing the Last System Restore 143 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image RestoreDell PC Restore Troubleshooting 145 Before You Begin Using the Operating System Media 147 148 Recommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsAdding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin 150 Turning Off Your ComputerBefore Working Inside Your Computer 151 Captive screws Hard DriveRemoving the Hard Drive Cage 152 153 Screws Replacing a Hard Drive in the Hard Drive Cage 155 MemoryReplacing the Hard Drive Cage Remove the module from the connector 156 Memory module Securing clip 157 Memory module Securing clip 159 Subscriber Identity Module Bluetooth compartment Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Notch Optical DriveSlide the drive out of the bay 161 162 163 Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the Computer 164 Travel TipsTraveling by Air Getting Help Getting HelpObtaining Assistance 165 166 Technical Support and Customer ServiceDellConnect Online Services Product Information Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service 168 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or CreditBefore You Call 169 Contacting Dell MB Intel 45 nm Core 2 Duo processor Specifications171 MultiMediaCard MMC 172Supports DDR-II up to 667 MHz TV support Four 4-pin USB 2.0-compliant connectors173 Board Codec Bluetooth speaker adapter174 Transducers 175 176 177 178 Appendix AppendixOverview 179 Commonly Used Options Viewing the System Setup ScreensSystem Setup Screens Changing the Boot Sequence 181 Performing a One-Time BootDiskette Drive Modular bay HDD Internal HDD Optical Drive FCC Class B FCC Notice U.S. Only 183 Macrovision Product Notice 184 185 Glossary 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 Index Index201 202 203 204 See also wireless switch 205 SIM. See Subscriber Identity Module 206 207 See also Mobile Broadband 208