Dell PP20L Lockups and Software Problems, Unexpected characters, The computer does not start up

TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F

Unexpected characters

D I S A B L E T H E N U M E R I C K E Y P A D — Press <Num Lk> to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.

Lockups and Software Problems

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

The computer does not start up

E N S U R E T H A T T H E AC A D A P T E R I S F I R M L Y C O N N E C T E D T O T H E C O M P U T E R A N D T O T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T

The computer stops responding

NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.

— If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. Then restart your computer.

A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly

E N D T H E P R O G R A M —

1Press <Crtl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously.

2Click the Applications tab and select the program that is no longer responding.

3Click End Task.

NOTE: The chkdsk program may run when you restart the computer. Follow the instructions on the screen.

C H E C K T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I O N — If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program. Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD.

A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system

R U N T H E P R O G R A M C O M P A T I B I L I T Y W I Z A R D — The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so it runs in an environment similar to non-Windows XP operating system environments.

1Click the Start button, point to Programs→Accessories, and then click Program Compatibility Wizard.

2In the welcome screen, click Next.

3Follow the instructions on the screen.

Solving Problems

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