Troubleshooting, Dell Technical Update Service | Dell Vostro 1000

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, perform the checks in "Lockups and Software Problems" on page 130 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operates on Dell computers.

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 (see "Using the System Setup Program" on page 175).

Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from your Drivers and Utilities media (see "Drivers and Utilities Media" on page 13).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.

Troubleshooting

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Dell Vostro 1000 owner manual Troubleshooting, Dell Technical Update Service, 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 Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Uninterruptible Power Supplies Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Connecting a Network or Broadband Using Blank CDs and DVDsInstalling a Media Memory Card Removing a Media Memory Card Physically Connecting to a Network or Microsoft Windows Firewall Enabling/Disabling the Wireless NetworkMobile Broadband/Wireless Wide Area Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Contents 118 Dell Technical Update Service 111116 117 129 External Keyboard problems 129Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Touch Pad or Mouse Problems 140 Contents Using the Operating System Media 157 Video and Display Problems 141Using Windows Vista System Restore 149 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 154 180 177179 Computer, Keyboard, and Display 179 Contents Finding Information With your computer What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Warranty information Microsoft Windows License Label Use the Service Tag to identify yourComputer when you use Your call when contacting support Site How to find information about myHow to connect to the Internet Tips articles from technicians online Describes your problem Updates appropriate for your ConfigurationHow to use the Windows operating Problem into the Search box, click Files Microsoft Windows System RestoreRestore your operating system Returns your computer to an earlier Determining Your Computer’s Configuration About Your ComputerAbout Your Computer Display latches Power button Device status lights Front ViewSpeakers Touch pad buttons V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S 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 Optical-drive-tray eject button Left Side ViewAir vent Optical drive bay Card reader USB connectors About Your ComputerRight Side View Hard drive ExpressCard slot USB C O N N E C T O R S AC adapter connector Network connector RJ-45 RJ-11 USB connectors Video connectorBack View Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor Module cover Battery Hard driveBottom View Release About Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your ComputerConnecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Setting Up Your Computer Microsoft Windows XP Transferring Information to a New Computer To copy data from the old computer On the old computer, insert the wizard disk Click Start→ Run Microsoft Windows Vista Setting Up a Printer Connecting a USB PrinterPrinter Cable Setting Up Your Computer Line Conditioners Power Protection DevicesUninterruptible Power Supplies Surge Protectors Setting Up Your Computer Using the Display Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Using a Projector Windows Vista Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display Click OK to close the Display Settings window Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display Using Catalyst Control Center Using the Desktop Shortcut Using Hot KeysLaunching Catalyst Control Center Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Key Combinations Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box Adjusting Keyboard SettingsSpeaker Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch pad Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using a Battery Battery PerformanceUsing a Battery Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Checking the Battery Charge Charge Gauge Microsoft Windows Power MeterCheck the Battery Charge Check the Battery Health Standby Mode Conserving Battery PowerLow-Battery Warning Power Management Modes Hibernate Mode Press the power button Close the display Press FnEsc Charging the Battery Configuring Power Management SettingsAccessing Power Options Properties To remove the battery Replacing the Battery Battery-bay latch release Storing a Battery Using Multimedia CD/DVD tray Using MultimediaPlaying a CD or DVD Adjusting the Picture Adjusting the Volume Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CDs and DVDs To copy the CD or DVDMedia Type Read Write Rewritable DVD-Writable Drives Helpful Tips Mute icon Using Multimedia Volume icon Click Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes Using Multimedia ExpressCard Blanks Using CardsUsing Cards ExpressCards ExpressCard Using Cards Installing an ExpressCard Release latch Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Media Memory Cards Installing a Media Memory Card Media memory card slot Removing a Media Memory Card Using Cards Setting Up and Using Networks Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband ModemConnecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up and Using Networks Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network CardWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting to a Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Completing the Connection to the Wlan Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Mobile Broadband/Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Microsoft Windows Firewall Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband CardMobile Broadband card is listed under Modems Setting Up and Using Networks Securing Your Computer PasswordsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable Lock If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking Software Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer Recommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsAdding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Before Working Inside Your Computer Press the power button to ground the system board Optical Drive Hard DriveOptical drive Device security screw Hard drive screws Foam packaging Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory Memory module Clips 2 per connector Notch Modem Adding and Replacing Parts Hinge Cover Keyboard 101Hinge cover Keyboard cable Plastic bar on Keyboard connector 102Keyboard Wireless Mini-Card 103Mini-Card Metal securing tab Mini-Card 105 Coin-Cell Battery ConnectorSystem board Antenna cables 107 Display Lift the display away from the computer 108 Screws Display cableBoard 109 110 Troubleshooting Dell Technical Update ServiceDell Diagnostics Troubleshooting 113 Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 114Option Function Tab Function 115 Dell Support Dell Support Center 117 Dell PC TuneUpClick the Dell Support icon Desktop 118 Dell PC CheckupDell Network Assistant DellConnect Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Computer Drive ProblemsOptical drive problems Click Start and click My Computer Problems writing to a CD-RW or DVD+/-RW drive Hard drive problems 121 Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 122 Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper 123 Error Messages 124 125 Windows XP 127 Ieee 1394 Device Problems ExpressCard Problems Keyboard Problems External Keyboard problems129 130 Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer does not start Computer stops responding Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly131 Dell MediaDirect problems Solid blue screen appears132 Memory Problems Other software problems133 Network Problems Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on134 Power Problems Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan135 136 137 Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems138 139 No sound from headphonesNo sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers Remote Control Problems Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsShut down the computer Disconnect the mouse 140 Video and Display Problems If the display is blank141 142 If the display is difficult to read Identifying Drivers What Is a Driver?Drivers If only part of the display is readable Using Windows Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 145 Using the Drivers and Utilities Media Troubleshooting 147 Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems Restoring Your Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Fix a Problem section, click Hardware Troubleshooter Using Windows Vista System Restore Creating a Restore Point149 150 Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State 151 Restoring the Computer to the Default Factory Configuration Using the Operating System Media Before You Begin152 153 Restoring Your Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Using Dell PC Restore Enabling System Restore155 Troubleshooting 157 Troubleshooting Dell QuickSet Features Dell QuickSet Features159 160 161 Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the Computer 162 Travel Tips 163 Traveling by Air 164 Contacting Dell 165Contacting Dell 166 167 Specifications 168 ATI R485M 169 170 171 172 Reduced under certain power-intensiveConditions. See Power Problems on Information on battery life 173 174 Appendix Using the System Setup ProgramAppendix 175 176 Viewing the System Setup Screens 177 Commonly Used Options 178 Changing the Boot Sequence 179 Cleaning Your ComputerPerforming a One-Time Boot Computer, Keyboard, and Display Mouse Touch Pad Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs181 FCC Class B FCC Notice U.S. Only 183 Macrovision Product Notice 184 185 Glossary 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 Index 203Index 204 See also hard drive See also optical drive 205 206 207 208 209 WWAN. See Mobile Broadband 210