Troubleshooting, Dell Technical Update Service | Dell TX453 manual

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, 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 media is optional and may not ship with your computer.

Enter the system setup program, review your computer’s configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test displays in the system setup program and is active.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media.

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 142).

NOTE: If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.

1Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly.

2Turn on (or restart) your computer.

3Start the Dell Diagnostics in one of the following two ways:

Troubleshooting

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Dell TX453 manual Troubleshooting, Dell Technical Update Service, 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 User’s Guide Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Microsoft Windows Logo Key FunctionsCustomizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Setting Up and Using Networks Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Contents Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer 102 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 103If only part of the display is readable 100 Technical Support and Customer Service 139 Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices 111Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards 120 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 125 146 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 141142 145 Finding Information Documentation updatesFinding Information Can be found at support.dell.com Quick Reference Guide Dell Support Website support.dell.com QuickSet on To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the QuicksetIcon in the Microsoft Windows taskbar For more information on Dell QuickSet, see Dell About Your Computer About Your Computer Touch pad Volume control buttons Mute button Ambient light sensor Light is flashing Solid orange The battery charge is critically low Y 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 Error Back View Video TV-out connector Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device About Your Computer Bottom View Docking-device connector About Your Computer To prepare the new computer for the file transfer Transferring Information to a New Computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Windows Vista Page Battery Performance Using a Battery Charge Gauge Checking the Battery ChargeDell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power Meter Standby Mode Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Low-Battery Warning Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Charging the BatteryReplacing the Battery Storing a Battery Key Combinations Using the Keyboard and Touch PadUsing the Keyboard and Touch Pad Numeric Keypad Display Functions BatteryPower Management Power Options Properties window see Configuring Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick Cap Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using Multimedia Using MultimediaPlaying CDs or DVDs Adjusting the Picture Adjusting the Volume Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Connecting Your Computer to a TV Click the tab for your video card Using the Display Adjusting BrightnessUsing the Display Click the Windows Vista Start button →Control Panel Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows XP Click the Start button and click Control Panel Using the Ambient Light Sensor Ambient light sensor Using the Display Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up and Using NetworksConnecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows XP What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows VistaWireless Local Area Network Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network Card Setting 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 Wwan Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Network Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Internet Connection FirewallFor information about Dell QuickSet, see Dell QuickSet on Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up and Using Networks Card Blanks Using CardsInstalling a PC Card or ExpressCard Card Types ExpressCard PC Card Removing a Card or Blank Using Cards About Smart Cards Securing Your ComputerSecurity Cable Lock Smart Cards Installing a Smart Card Passwords Using an Administrator Password Using a Primary/System Password Using a Hard Drive Password Trusted Platform Module TPM Enabling the TPM Feature Security Management Software Computer Tracking SoftwareIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer When to Use the Dell Diagnostics TroubleshootingDell Technical Update Service Dell Diagnostics Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Troubleshooting Accessing the Dell Support Utility Dell Support UtilityClicking the Dell Support Icon Drive Problems Double-Clicking the Dell Support IconClick the Windows Vista Start button →Computer Right-click Local Disk C CD and DVD drive problemsHard drive problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Keyword spyware Error Messages Troubleshooting Click Start→Control Panel→Add or Remove Programs Keyboard Problems Ieee 1394 Device Problems Lockups and Software Problems External keyboard problemsUnexpected characters Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Other software problemsComputer does not start up Computer stops responding Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on Memory ProblemsNetwork Problems If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program Power Problems PC Card or ExpressCard Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking Power ConsiderationsExtension cable to verify that the computer turns on Scanner Problems Printer Problems No sound from integrated speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsTouch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from headphones If the display is blank Video and Display Problems If only part of the display is readable If the display is difficult to read Overview System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Program System Setup Screens Commonly Used SettingsChanging the Boot Sequence Changing COM Ports Performing a One-Time Boot System Setup Program Attach a name tag or business card to the computer Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Traveling by Air Travel Tips Drivers Reinstalling SoftwareWhat Is a Driver? Reinstalling Software Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 101 102 Restoring Your Operating System 103 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked Using the Operating System Media Components and controllers Touch Pad Enhances the pointing device features Other105 Chipset 106 Turning Off Your Computer Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Recommended Tools Hard Drive Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on 108 Screws 109 Foam packaging Media BayReturning a Hard Drive to Dell Removing the Device Security Screw Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices 111Device security screw Device latch release Push the new device into the bay until it clicks Hinge Cover Keyboard 113Hinge cover Keyboard Keyboard screws Keyboard connector 115 Memory Memory module Captive screw 117 Memory module SIM card Wireless CardsSubscriber Identity Module SIM Card 119 Antenna cables Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards Wlan card Metal securing bracket 121 Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Cards FCM Flash Cache Module 123Wwan card Metal securing bracket FCM card Antennae cables Lift the card out of its connector 124 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 125FCM card Metal tab Card Cable connector 127 Coin-Cell BatteryCard Card connector Cable connector Mylar Coin-cell battery 128 Dell QuickSet 129Dell QuickSet 130 131 Specifications Modem RJ-11 support Network adapter RJ-45 port Dock Ieee Pin serial connector Video TV-out132 To composite video adapter cable LCD interface 133 134 Can be significantly reduced under Certain power-intensive conditions see135 Keycaps 136 137 138 139 Technical Support and Customer ServiceGetting Help Obtaining Assistance DellConnect Online Services 141 Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service Contacting Dell Before You Call 143 144 Touch Pad Cleaning Your ComputerAppendix Computer, Keyboard, and Display Mouse CDs and DVDs146 147 Macrovision Product NoticeFCC Notice U.S. Only FCC Class B 148 149 Glossary 150 151 Extended display mode a display setting that allows Glossary 152 Memory a temporary data storage area inside your Glossary 153 154 155 156 157 158 Video resolution See resolution