Finding Solutions, Solving Problems | Dell XPS guide

Solving Problems

Finding Solutions

Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where to go for answers. Use this chart to help you quickly find the answers to your questions.

See page 42.

Press a key or move the mouse. See the Dell Dimen- sion Help file for informa- tion on standby mode.

Get technical assistance from

Dell. See page 112.

See page 35.

Solving Problems

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Dell XPS manual Finding Solutions, Solving Problems

Contents

Ieee 1394 connector Headphone connector Microphone connectorSerial connector Fans Diagnostic lights Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Optimizing Performance Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreRestoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Removing and Installing Parts 109 105110 128 Contents Safety General Safety When Working Inside Your Computer Safety When Using Your Computer Safety Battery Disposal Safety Protecting Against Electrostatic DischargeSafety Ergonomic Computing Habits W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Finding Information for Your Computer How to change my display resolution ResourceCD Service Tag and Microsoft Windows LabelDrivers for my computer My computer documentation Finding Information for Your Computer Using Your Computer Opening the Drive Door Connecting Two Monitors Optional VGA adapter If both monitors have VGA connectorsTV OUT connector DVI white connector If one of the monitors is a television Configuring Graphics CardsSettings and Functions Removing the Graphics Card Driver About Your RAID ConfigurationAbout Serial ATA Drives Segment Hard drive RAID Level Segment Transferring Information to a New Computer Copying CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips How to Copy a CD or DVDUsing Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Network Setup WizardTurning Off Your Computer Using Your Computer DDR Memory and Processor Front-Side Bus Intel Performance Acceleration TechnologyHyper-Threading Optimizing Performance Overclocking Solving Problems Finding Solutions Finding Help Information Floppy drive problems Battery ProblemsDrive Problems CD drive problems DVD drive problems Problems writing to a CD-RW driveHard drive problems Under Error-checking, click Check Now Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Click the Change or Remove Program icon Error MessagesClick Add or Remove Programs Program stops responding General ProblemsComputer stops responding Solid blue screen appears Other software problemsProgram crashes repeatedly General hardware problems Other technical problems Click Printers and Other Hardware Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsKeyboard Problems Simultaneously press CtrlEsc to display the Start menu Mouse Problems Integrity/speed light Network ProblemsNetwork Power Problems Printer Problems Click Scanners and Cameras Scanner Problems No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker Problems If the screen is blank Video and Monitor ProblemsNo sound from headphones Click Appearance and Themes If the screen is difficult to read Solving Problems Advanced Troubleshooting Diagnostic LightsLight Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution = yellow = green = off Light Pattern Problem Description Starting the Dell Diagnostics Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the ResourceCD Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Tab Function Dell Diagnostics Main MenuOption Function Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers Creating a Restore Point Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreUsing the ResourceCD Click System Restore Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Click Performance and Maintenance Enabling System RestoreClick the System Restore tab Click Performance and Maintenance and click System Reinstalling Windows XP Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPBooting From the Operating System CD Before You Begin Next Windows XP Setup Advanced Troubleshooting Front and Back View of the Computer Removing and Installing PartsFront View Computer. Instead, perform a Microsoft Windows shutdown Front View Doors Open Back View Network or broadband jack Removing and Installing Parts Recommended Tools Precautionary MeasuresBefore You Begin Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Opening the Computer Cover Page Floppy drive CD/DVD drive Hard drive Inside View of Your Computer Memory System Board Components DDR Memory Overview Memory Installation Guidelines Installing Memory Notch Memory module Cutouts Crossbar PCI Cards Installing a PCI Card Not fully seated card Fully seated card Bracket Filler bracket Alignment guide Alignment bar Retention arm Removing a PCI Card Removing an AGP Card AGP Cards Overview Installing an AGP CardDrives Floppy drive CD/DVD drives Hard drives Hard DriveRemoving a Hard Drive Power cable Tabs IDE hard- drive cable Installing a Hard DrivePower cable Tabs IDE hard drive example Drive Bracket rails Screws System board Connector Removing a Floppy Drive Floppy Drive Tabs Floppy drive Installing a Floppy Drive Tabs Floppy drive Removing a CD/DVD Drive Power cable Tabs CD/DVD drive cable Audio cableCD/DVD Drive Installing a CD/DVD Drive Power cable Tabs CD/DVD drive cable Audio cable Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud Processor Airflow Shroud Side anchor tabs Indentations Bottom anchor tabs Installing the Processor Airflow ShroudTop anchor tabs Processor Installing the Processor Processor socket Retention module Heat sink processor socket Release tab Removing the Processor Release lever Processor Socket Front PanelRemoving the Front Panel Replacing the Front Panel Removing the Drive Door Drive Door Top bracket hinge Bottom bracket hinge Replacing the Drive Door 100 Door bracket/door hinge assemblyHinge tab Door hinges Door bracket Door hinge 101 Battery 102 BatteryClosing the Computer Cover Cover latch release Security cable slot Padlock ring 103 Removing and Installing Parts 105 Specifications Video 106Audio Expansion Bus Controls and Lights 107 108 PowerPhysical Environmental Viewing Settings Standard SettingsSystem Setup Screens Boot Sequence Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot Clearing Forgotten PasswordsChanging Boot Sequence for Future Boots 110 111 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Contacting Dell Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 What is not covered by this limited warranty? What is covered by this limited warranty?Regulatory Notices Limited Warranties and Return Policy 129 How long does this limited warranty last? 130 What do I do if I need warranty service?What will Dell do? May I transfer the limited warranty? What if I purchased a service contract?Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only How will you fix my product? 132 133 134 Dell Software and Peripherals Canada Only Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada Only 136 Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty What are Errata? 137 Appendix Index 139 Index 140 Index Processor Problems Modem problemsHelp file, 14 accessing Index 141 142 Index Wizard, 37 reinstalling, 60 scanner, 44 System Restore