Manuals / Dell / Computer Equipment / Personal Computer

Dell TX453 manual Reinstalling Software, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers

Models: TX453

1 160

Download 160 pages 32.07 Kb

Page 101

Reinstalling Software

Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.

A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.

NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities media may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:

•Upgrade your operating system.

•Reinstall your operating system.

•Connect or install a new device.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.

Microsoft Windows XP

1Click Start→Control Panel.

2Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.

3Click System.

4In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.

5Click Device Manager.

Microsoft Windows Vista®

1 Click the Windows Vista Start button, , and right-click Computer.

Reinstalling Software

99

Image 101

Dell TX453 manual Reinstalling Software, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m User’s GuideAbbreviations and Acronyms Contents Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Enabling the Display Settings for a TVMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Setting Up and Using NetworksDouble-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Contents Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard DriveProgram stops responding or crashes repeatedly Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your ComputerIf only part of the display is readable Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 103100 102Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards 120 Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices 111Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 125 Technical Support and Customer Service 139142 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 141145 146Finding Information Documentation updatesCan be found at support.dell.com Finding InformationQuick Reference Guide Dell Support Website support.dell.com Icon in the Microsoft Windows taskbar To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the QuicksetFor more information on Dell QuickSet, see Dell QuickSet onAbout Your Computer About Your ComputerTouch pad Volume control buttons Mute button Ambient light sensorLight is flashing Solid orange The battery charge is critically lowY B O a R D S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View D I O C O N N E C T O R S Right Side View Flashing yellow ErrorBack View Video TV-out connectorConnects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device About Your Computer Bottom View Docking-device connectorAbout Your Computer To prepare the new computer for the file transfer Transferring Information to a New ComputerClick Finished and restart the new computer Windows Vista Page Battery Performance Using a BatteryDell QuickSet Battery Meter Checking the Battery ChargeMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Charge GaugePower Management Modes Conserving Battery PowerLow-Battery Warning Standby ModeHibernate Mode Replacing the Battery Configuring Power Management SettingsCharging the Battery Storing a Battery Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Key CombinationsPower Management BatteryPower Options Properties window see Configuring Display FunctionsTouch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick CapUsing the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Playing CDs or DVDs Using MultimediaUsing Multimedia Adjusting the Picture Adjusting the VolumeEnabling the Display Settings for a TV Connecting Your Computer to a TVClick the tab for your video card Using the Display Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Click the Windows Vista Start button →Control Panel Microsoft Windows XPMicrosoft Windows XP Click the Start button and click Control Panel Using the Ambient Light SensorAmbient light sensor Using the Display Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up and Using NetworksSetting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows XP Setting Up and Using NetworksWireless Local Area Network Wlan Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows VistaChecking Your Wireless Network Card What You Need to Establish a Wlan ConnectionSetting Up and Using Networks Connecting to a Wlan Setting Up and Using Networks Checking Your Mobile Broadband Card Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WwanEnabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Network Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband NetworkFor information about Dell QuickSet, see Dell QuickSet on Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network LocatorInternet Connection Firewall Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up and Using Networks Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard Using CardsCard Types Card BlanksExpressCard PC CardRemoving a Card or Blank Using Cards Security Cable Lock Securing Your ComputerSmart Cards About Smart CardsInstalling a Smart Card PasswordsUsing an Administrator Password Using a Primary/System PasswordUsing a Hard Drive Password Trusted Platform Module TPM Enabling the TPM FeatureIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Security Management SoftwareComputer Tracking Software Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer Dell Technical Update Service TroubleshootingDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsDell Diagnostics Main Menu Troubleshooting Clicking the Dell Support Icon Accessing the Dell Support UtilityDell Support Utility Click the Windows Vista Start button →Computer Drive ProblemsDouble-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Hard drive problems CD and DVD drive problemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Right-click Local Disk CMail, Modem, and Internet Problems Keyword spyware Error MessagesTroubleshooting Click Start→Control Panel→Add or Remove Programs Keyboard Problems Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsUnexpected characters Lockups and Software ProblemsExternal keyboard problems Computer does not start up Other software problemsComputer stops responding Program stops responding or crashes repeatedlyNetwork Problems Memory ProblemsIf necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics onPower Problems PC Card or ExpressCard ProblemsExtension cable to verify that the computer turns on Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your ComputerDocking Power Considerations Scanner Problems Printer ProblemsTouch Pad or Mouse Problems Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from headphones No sound from integrated speakersIf the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsIf only part of the display is readable If the display is difficult to readViewing the System Setup Screens System Setup ProgramSystem Setup Program OverviewChanging the Boot Sequence System Setup ScreensCommonly Used Settings Changing COM Ports Performing a One-Time BootSystem Setup Program Identifying Your Computer Traveling With Your ComputerPacking the Computer Attach a name tag or business card to the computerTraveling by Air Travel TipsWhat Is a Driver? Reinstalling SoftwareReinstalling Software DriversReinstalling Drivers and Utilities 101 102 Restoring Your Operating System103 Using Microsoft Windows System RestoreEnsure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked Using the Operating System Media105 Touch Pad Enhances the pointing device features OtherChipset Components and controllers106 Before You Begin Adding and Replacing PartsRecommended Tools Turning Off Your ComputerHard Drive Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on 108Screws 109Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Media BayRemoving the Device Security Screw Foam packagingDevice security screw Device latch release Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices111 Push the new device into the bay until it clicks Hinge CoverHinge cover Keyboard113 Keyboard Keyboard screws Keyboard connector115 MemoryMemory module Captive screw 117Memory module Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card Wireless Cards119 SIM cardAntenna cables Wireless Local Area Network Wlan CardsWlan card Metal securing bracket 121Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Cards Wwan card Metal securing bracket FCM Flash Cache Module123 FCM card Antennae cables Lift the card out of its connector 124FCM card Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology125 Metal tab Card Cable connector Card Card connector Cable connector Coin-Cell BatteryMylar Coin-cell battery 127128 Dell QuickSet Dell QuickSet129 130 131 Specifications132 Ieee Pin serial connector Video TV-outTo composite video adapter cable Modem RJ-11 support Network adapter RJ-45 port DockLCD interface 133134 135 Certain power-intensive conditions seeKeycaps Can be significantly reduced under136 137 138 Getting Help Technical Support and Customer ServiceObtaining Assistance 139DellConnect Online Services AutoTech Service Problems With Your OrderAutomated Order-Status Service 141Contacting Dell Before You Call143 144 Appendix Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad146 MouseCDs and DVDs FCC Notice U.S. Only Macrovision Product NoticeFCC Class B 147148 149 Glossary150 151 Extended display mode a display setting that allows Glossary152 Memory a temporary data storage area inside your Glossary 153154 155 156 157 158 Video resolution See resolution