Computer stops responding, 131 | Dell Vostro 1000 instruction

The computer stops responding

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

TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F — 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 <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously to access the Task Manager.

2Click the Applications tab.

3Click to select the program that is no longer responding.

4Click 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 —

Windows XP:

The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-XP operating system environments.

1Click Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ Program Compatibility Wizard→ Next.

2Follow the instructions on the screen.

Troubleshooting

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Dell Vostro 1000 owner manual Computer stops responding, Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly, 131

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 About Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s ConfigurationAbout Your Computer Speakers Touch pad buttons Display latches Power button Device status lightsFront View 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 Back View AC adapter connector Network connectorRJ-45 RJ-11 USB connectors Video connector 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 Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a USB Printer 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 Launching Catalyst Control Center Using the Desktop ShortcutUsing Hot Keys Numeric Keypad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadUsing the Keyboard and Touch Pad 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 Using a BatteryBattery Performance 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 Accessing Power Options Properties Charging the BatteryConfiguring Power Management Settings To remove the battery Replacing the Battery Battery-bay latch release Storing a Battery Playing a CD or DVD Using MultimediaCD/DVD tray Using Multimedia Adjusting the Picture Adjusting the Volume Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDsTo copy the CD or DVD 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 Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up and Using NetworksPhysically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Setting Up and Using Networks What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Wireless Local Area Network WlanChecking Your Wireless Network Card 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 Mobile Broadband card is listed under Modems Microsoft Windows FirewallChecking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card 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 Device security screw Optical DriveHard Drive 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 Hinge cover Keyboard101 Keyboard Keyboard cable Plastic bar on Keyboard connector102 Mini-Card Wireless Mini-Card103 Metal securing tab Mini-Card 105 System board Antenna cables Coin-Cell BatteryConnector 107 Display Board Lift the display away from the computer 108Screws Display cable 109 110 Dell Diagnostics TroubleshootingDell Technical Update Service Troubleshooting 113 Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu114 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 129 Keyboard ProblemsExternal Keyboard problems 130 Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer does not start 131 Computer stops respondingProgram stops responding or crashes repeatedly 132 Dell MediaDirect problemsSolid blue screen appears 133 Memory ProblemsOther software problems 134 Network ProblemsRun the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on 135 Power ProblemsMobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan 136 137 Printer Problems 138 Scanner ProblemsSound and Speaker Problems 139 No sound from headphonesNo sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers Shut down the computer Disconnect the mouse 140 Remote Control ProblemsTouch Pad or Mouse Problems 141 Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is blank 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 149 Using Windows Vista System RestoreCreating a Restore Point 150 Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State 151 Restoring the Computer to the Default Factory Configuration 152 Using the Operating System MediaBefore You Begin 153 Restoring Your Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 155 Using Dell PC RestoreEnabling System Restore Troubleshooting 157 Troubleshooting 159 Dell QuickSet FeaturesDell QuickSet Features 160 161 Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the Computer 162 Travel Tips 163 Traveling by Air 164 Contacting Dell Contacting Dell165 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 181 Floppy DriveCDs and DVDs 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 Index203 204 See also hard drive See also optical drive 205 206 207 208 209 WWAN. See Mobile Broadband 210