Solving Problems, Dell Diagnostics | Dell PP23LA specs

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 73 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 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.

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 111.

1Shut down the computer.

2Connect the computer to an electrical outlet, if it is not already connected.

3Turn on (or restart) your computer.

4Diagnostics 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 PP23LA owner manual Solving Problems, When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

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 Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Configuring Power Management Settings What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding soundProgram stops responding or crashes repeatedly 101 Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreIf only part of the display is readable Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 110 104105 109 Glossary Index Contents Warranty information Finding InformationSupport.dell.com Setup Diagram Follow the instructions on the screen Click the topic that describes your problemWhat Are You Looking For? Find It Here Click the arrow icon Top technical issues for my computer Microsoft Windows System Restore MicrosoftRestore your operating system Service call status and support history Determining Your Computer’s Configuration About Your ComputerAbout Your Computer Front View Light operates as follows 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 Setting Up a Printer Connecting a USB 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 Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Adjusting Keyboard Settings Customizing the Touch Pad Touch Pad Using a Battery Battery PerformanceUsing a Battery Charge Gauge Checking the Battery ChargeDell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power Meter Check the Battery Health Conserving Battery PowerLow-Battery Warning Power Management ModesPage Charging the Battery Replacing the BatteryConfiguring Power Management Settings Storing a Battery Using Multimedia Using MultimediaPlaying a CD or DVD Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture How to Copy a CD or DVDCopying CDs and DVDs Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips 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 Setting Up a Network Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband ModemSetting 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 Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Setting Up a Network Securing Your Computer PasswordsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable Lock If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking Software Solving Problems Solving ProblemsDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Option Function Tab Function Management Modes on page 41 for information on standby mode Drive ProblemsCD and DVD drive problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Hard drive problemsIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Error Messages Solving Problems Solving Problems Solving Problems ExpressCard Problems Keyboard ProblemsManufacturer Lockups and Software Problems External Keyboard problemsUnexpected characters Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Other software problemsComputer does not start up Computer stops responding Network Problems Memory Problems Communication exists. Replace the network cable Power Problems Printer Problems Scanner ProblemsEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from integrated speakersNo sound from external speakers If the display is blank Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsVideo and Display Problems No sound from headphones If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readablePicture quality Identifying Drivers What Is a Driver?Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Drivers Solving Problems Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore You can restore your operating system in the following waysRestoring Your Operating System Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec Solving Problems Using the Operating System CD Solving Problems Recommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsAdding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Before Working Inside Your Computer Optical Drive Hard Drive Screws Hard drive Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory Memory module Securing clips 2 per connector Modem Adding and Replacing Parts Hinge Cover Keyboard 100 101 Wireless Mini-Card 102 Install the replacement Mini-Card 103 Coin-Cell Battery 105 Display Adding and Replacing Parts Dell QuickSet Features Dell QuickSet Features107 108 109 Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Traveling by Air Travel Tips Contacting Dell 111Contacting Dell 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 Should be called from within Singapore orMalaysia only 128 129 130 131 132 133 Specifications Communications Ports and Connectors134 Memory 135 VideoAudio Display 136 Touch Pad Battery137 Keyboard 138 AC AdapterPhysical Environmental 139 140 141 Using the System Setup ProgramEntering System Setup Appendix Commonly Used Options 143 Cleaning Your Computer CDs and DVDs Computer, Keyboard, and DisplayTouch Pad Floppy Drive 145 Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals FCC Notice U.S. Only FCC Class B146 147 Macrovision Product Notice 148 Glossary 149Glossary 150 151 Device driver See driverDocking device See APR 152 153 154 NIC See network adapter 155 156 System tray See notification area 157 158 Video resolution See resolution 159 160 Boot sequence Brightness adjusting Index161 Index See also display problems Power management conserving battery power163 System setup program commonly used options Compatibility, 74 restore computer to previous 165 166