Solving Problems, Dell Diagnostics | Dell PP20L guide

Solving Problems

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

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell computers.

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

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD).

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 page 133.

1Shut down the computer.

2Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

3Diagnostics can be invoked one of two ways:

a Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select Diagnostics from the boot menu and press <Enter>.

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.

bPress and hold the <Fn> key while powering the system on.

NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities CD.

Solving Problems

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Dell PP20L Solving Problems, When to Use the Dell Diagnostics, Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Dell Inspiron 6400/E1505 Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Configuring Power Management Settings Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Double- Clicking the Dell Support Icon Connecting to a Mobile Broadband NetworkWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network WwanEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer If only part of the display is readable Contents 129 109 164 131132 163 Contents Support.dell.com Finding Information These labels are located on the bottom of your computer What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Enter your Service Tag or product modelConfiguration Click the topic that describes your problem Your operating system Microsoft Windows System Restore MicrosoftEarlier operating state without affecting data files Ship with your computer About Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s ConfigurationAbout Your Computer Front View W E R B U T T O N About Your Computer Y B O a R D a N D W I R E L E S S S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View Right Side View Back View Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor Bottom View Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your ComputerConnecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Transferring Information to a New Computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Connecting a USB Printer Setting Up a PrinterPrinter Cable Surge Protectors Power Protection Devices Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power Supplies Setting Up Your Computer Setting Display Resolution Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Switching the Video Image Using the Display Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Display Functions Power ManagementKey Combinations System Functions Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box Adjusting Keyboard SettingsMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions QuickSet Key Combinations Customizing the Touch Pad Touch Pad Battery Performance Using a BatteryUsing a Battery Check the Battery Charge Checking the Battery ChargeDell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power Meter Check the Battery Health Conserving Battery PowerLow-Battery Warning Power Management Modes Hibernate Mode Replacing the Battery Charging the BatteryConfiguring Power Management Settings Storing a Battery Using Multimedia Using MultimediaPlaying CDs or DVDs Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD DVD-Writable Drives Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDsHelpful Tips CD-Writable Drives Media Type Read Write Rewritable Adjusting the Volume If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode Adjusting the PictureUsing Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect If the computer is turned on or in standby mode Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device Using Multimedia Video and Standard Audio Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Video cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Pdif digital audio cable Component Video and Standard Audio Using Multimedia Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Component video adapter 2 S/PDIF digital audio cable Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Setting Up the Cyberlink CL Headphones Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Using Multimedia ExpressCards Using CardsInstalling an ExpressCard Using Cards Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Media Memory Cards Installing a Media Memory Card Removing a Media Memory Card Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Setting Up a NetworkSetting Up a Network What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Network Setup WizardWireless Local Area Network Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network Card Setting Up a New Wlan Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Completing the Connection to the Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Setting Up a Network Securing Your Computer PasswordsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable Lock If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking Software Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Solving ProblemsDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Option Function Tab Function Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Accessing the Dell Support UtilityDell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support Icon CD and DVD drive problems Drive ProblemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Hard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Error Messages Characters in filenames Solving Problems Page Manufacturer ExpressCard ProblemsIeee 1394 Device Problems Windows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listed External Keyboard problems Keyboard Problems Computer stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer does not start up Other software problems Dell MediaDirect problemsSolid blue screen appears Network Problems Memory ProblemsCommunication exists. Replace the network cable Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Power Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Printer Problems Scanner Problems No sound from integrated speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from external speakers Video and Display Problems Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsIf the display is blank If only part of the display is readable What Is a Driver?Drivers If the display is difficult to read Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesIdentifying Drivers Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs Using the Drivers and Utilities CD101 Restoring Your Operating System Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities102 103 Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore 104 Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec 105 106 Using the Operating System CDReinstalling Windows XP Before You Begin 107 108 Recommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsAdding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin 110 Before Working Inside Your Computer 111 Optical Drive 112 Hard Drive 113 Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory 115 116 117 Modem 118 Hinge Cover 119 Keyboard 120 121 Wireless Mini-Card 122 Install the replacement Mini-Card 123 Coin-Cell Battery 125 Display 126 Lift the display up and away from the computer 127 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 128 Dell QuickSet Features Dell QuickSet Features 130 131 Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Traveling by Air Travel Tips 133 Contacting DellContacting Dell 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 Called from within Singapore or Malaysia only 148Website support.ap.dell.com 149 150 151 152 Printers, and Projectors for Relationship 153 154 155 Specifications Memory Ports and Connectors156 In-1 Media Memory Card Reader Audio 157Communications Video Display 158 Touch Pad Battery159 Keyboard AC Adapter 160Physical Environmental 161 162 Appendix Using the System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screen System Setup Screen Performing a One-Time Boot Changing the Boot SequenceCommonly Used Options 165 Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad 166 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyFloppy Drive CDs and DVDs FCC Class B Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsFCC Notice U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals 168 Macrovision Product Notice 169 GlossaryGlossary 170 Device driver See driver 171Docking device See APR 172 173 174 NIC See network adapter 175 176 System tray See notification area 177 178 Video resolution See resolution 179 180 181 IndexIndex 182 See also hard drive See also optical drive 183 184 185 186