Owner's Manual
Page 2
... damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you make better use of your computer. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Vostro, TravelLite, and Strike Zone are not applicable. Other trademarks and trade names may be used by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Model... the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you how to avoid the problem. Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks, SpeedStep and Core are trademarks of Dell Inc. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential...
... damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you make better use of your computer. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Vostro, TravelLite, and Strike Zone are not applicable. Other trademarks and trade names may be used by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Model... the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you how to avoid the problem. Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks, SpeedStep and Core are trademarks of Dell Inc. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential...
Owner's Manual
Page 4
... and Office Network 53 Connecting to a Network Adapter 53 Network Setup Wizard 54 Connecting to the Internet 55 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 56 3 Solving Problems 59 Troubleshooting Tips 59 Battery...
... and Office Network 53 Connecting to a Network Adapter 53 Network Setup Wizard 54 Connecting to the Internet 55 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 56 3 Solving Problems 59 Troubleshooting Tips 59 Battery...
Owner's Manual
Page 5
Drive Problems 60 Optical drive problems 61 Hard drive problems 62 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 62 Error Messages 65 Keyboard Problems 66 Lockups and Software Problems 67 The computer does not start up 67 The computer stops responding 67 A program stops responding...operating system 68 A solid blue screen appears 68 Other software problems 69 Media Card Reader Problems 70 Memory Problems 71 Mouse Problems 72 Network Problems 73 Power Problems 74 Printer Problems 75 Scanner Problems 76 Sound and Speaker Problems 77 No sound from speakers 77 No sound from headphones 78...
Drive Problems 60 Optical drive problems 61 Hard drive problems 62 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 62 Error Messages 65 Keyboard Problems 66 Lockups and Software Problems 67 The computer does not start up 67 The computer stops responding 67 A program stops responding...operating system 68 A solid blue screen appears 68 Other software problems 69 Media Card Reader Problems 70 Memory Problems 71 Mouse Problems 72 Network Problems 73 Power Problems 74 Printer Problems 75 Scanner Problems 76 Sound and Speaker Problems 77 No sound from speakers 77 No sound from headphones 78...
Owner's Manual
Page 6
Video and Monitor Problems 79 If the screen is blank 79 If the screen is difficult to read 80 4 Troubleshooting Tools 81 Power Lights 81 Beep Codes 82 System Messages 84 Dell Diagnostics 86 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 86 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 86 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the...
Video and Monitor Problems 79 If the screen is blank 79 If the screen is difficult to read 80 4 Troubleshooting Tools 81 Power Lights 81 Beep Codes 82 System Messages 84 Dell Diagnostics 86 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 86 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 86 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the...
Owner's Manual
Page 14
What Are You Looking For? • How to use Windows Vista™ • How to work with programs and files • How to personalize my desktop Find it Here Windows Help and Support Center 1 To access Windows Help and Support: • In Windows XP, click Start and click Help and Support. • In Windows Vista™, click the Windows Vista Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem, and then click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen. 14 Finding Information
What Are You Looking For? • How to use Windows Vista™ • How to work with programs and files • How to personalize my desktop Find it Here Windows Help and Support Center 1 To access Windows Help and Support: • In Windows XP, click Start and click Help and Support. • In Windows Vista™, click the Windows Vista Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem, and then click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen. 14 Finding Information
Owner's Manual
Page 19
... computer. To use the padlock rings, insert a commercially available padlock through the rings, and then lock the padlock. Blocking the vents would cause serious thermal problems. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19 The padlock rings allow you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the inside of the system air vents...
... computer. To use the padlock rings, insert a commercially available padlock through the rings, and then lock the padlock. Blocking the vents would cause serious thermal problems. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19 The padlock rings allow you attach a commercially available antitheft device to the inside of the system air vents...
Owner's Manual
Page 28
This section applies only to DVD media. Dell Edition. How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE: CD-RW/DVD combo drives cannot write to computers that you experience recording problems, check for other purposes, such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on the Sonic support website at sonic.com... Panel, and then click Appearance and Personalization. 2 Under Personalization, click Adjust Screen Resolution. NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may not read DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and DVD+R DL (dual layer) media, but cannot write to make an exact copy of the window. The...
This section applies only to DVD media. Dell Edition. How to Copy a CD or DVD NOTE: CD-RW/DVD combo drives cannot write to computers that you experience recording problems, check for other purposes, such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on the Sonic support website at sonic.com... Panel, and then click Appearance and Personalization. 2 Under Personalization, click Adjust Screen Resolution. NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may not read DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and DVD+R DL (dual layer) media, but cannot write to make an exact copy of the window. The...
Owner's Manual
Page 37
... want your computer to time-out before the hard drive. If your computer is called a scheme. The Power schemes drop-down menu. To avoid this problem, always set the hard drive to run your computer from the Power schemes drop-down menu displays the following schemes: • Always On (default) - NOTICE...
... want your computer to time-out before the hard drive. If your computer is called a scheme. The Power schemes drop-down menu. To avoid this problem, always set the hard drive to run your computer from the Power schemes drop-down menu displays the following schemes: • Always On (default) - NOTICE...
Owner's Manual
Page 56
... complete the setup. 6 Click the appropriate option under How do not have a service outage. If you do you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on the screen to the operating system your ISP information ready. NOTE: If you want to set up my connection manually...
... complete the setup. 6 Click the appropriate option under How do not have a service outage. If you do you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on the screen to the operating system your ISP information ready. NOTE: If you want to set up my connection manually...
Owner's Manual
Page 59
..., follow the safety instructions in this chapter may help technical support personnel diagnose and fix the problem. • If an error message occurs in a program, see "Contacting Dell" on the screen, write down the exact message. Solving Problems CAUTION: Some of the parts described in the Product Information Guide. Replace the battery only...
..., follow the safety instructions in this chapter may help technical support personnel diagnose and fix the problem. • If an error message occurs in a program, see "Contacting Dell" on the screen, write down the exact message. Solving Problems CAUTION: Some of the parts described in the Product Information Guide. Replace the battery only...
Owner's Manual
Page 60
...C L E A N T H E D R I V E O R D I C S - R U N T H E D E L L D I A G N O S T I S K - See "Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive" on page 182. Windows XP • Click Start and click My Computer. See "System Setup" on page 93. ENSURE THAT ...; RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE - Windows Vista™ • Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Computer. See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 86. 60 Solving Problems Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive E N S U R E T H A T T H E D R I V E I S E N A B L E D I N T H E S YS T E M S E T U P P R O G R A...
...C L E A N T H E D R I V E O R D I C S - R U N T H E D E L L D I A G N O S T I S K - See "Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive" on page 182. Windows XP • Click Start and click My Computer. See "System Setup" on page 93. ENSURE THAT ...; RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE - Windows Vista™ • Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Computer. See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 86. 60 Solving Problems Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive E N S U R E T H A T T H E D R I V E I S E N A B L E D I N T H E S YS T E M S E T U P P R O G R A...
Owner's Manual
Page 61
... drive or the CD or DVD. TURN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD/DVD-RW D I S C - See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on power management modes Solving Problems 61 If the stream is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in all programs before you write to a CD... VOLUME CONTROL - • Click the speaker icon in Windows Help and Support for the keyword standby in the lower-right corner of data when writing. Problems writing to the CD/DVD-RW. Try closing all DVD drives.
... drive or the CD or DVD. TURN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD/DVD-RW D I S C - See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on power management modes Solving Problems 61 If the stream is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in all programs before you write to a CD... VOLUME CONTROL - • Click the speaker icon in Windows Help and Support for the keyword standby in the lower-right corner of data when writing. Problems writing to the CD/DVD-RW. Try closing all DVD drives.
Owner's Manual
Page 62
...I C R O S O F T O U T L O O K ® E X P R E S S S E C U R I T Y S E T T I N G S - If you are an administrator on the screen. E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you cannot open your administrator to remove the checkmark. 62 Solving Problems Windows XP 1 Click Start and click My Computer. 2 Right-click Local Disk C:. 3 Click Properties→ Tools→ Check Now... desired action. 4 Follow the instructions on the computer, click Continue; Hard drive problems RUN CHECK DISK - The modem does not operate while it is connected to an analog telephone jack only.
...I C R O S O F T O U T L O O K ® E X P R E S S S E C U R I T Y S E T T I N G S - If you are an administrator on the screen. E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you cannot open your administrator to remove the checkmark. 62 Solving Problems Windows XP 1 Click Start and click My Computer. 2 Right-click Local Disk C:. 3 Click Properties→ Tools→ Check Now... desired action. 4 Follow the instructions on the computer, click Continue; Hard drive problems RUN CHECK DISK - The modem does not operate while it is connected to an analog telephone jack only.
Owner's Manual
Page 63
... all computers. Windows XP 1 Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper. 2 Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems. Modem Helper is not available on the modem. (The jack has either a green label or a connector-shaped icon next to it.) •..., surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and use the telephone to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack. Solving Problems 63 CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE - ...
... all computers. Windows XP 1 Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper. 2 Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems. Modem Helper is not available on the modem. (The jack has either a green label or a connector-shaped icon next to it.) •..., surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and use the telephone to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack. Solving Problems 63 CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE - ...
Owner's Manual
Page 64
...; Control Panel→ Printers and Other Hardware→ Phone and Modem Options→ Modems. 2 Click the COM port for your Internet service provider. 64 Solving Problems With the Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File.
...; Control Panel→ Printers and Other Hardware→ Phone and Modem Options→ Modems. 2 Click the COM port for your Internet service provider. 64 Solving Problems With the Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File.
Owner's Manual
Page 65
... when the message appeared. T H E D E V I C E I R E D . The drive cannot read the disk. N O N - Close all windows and open is not listed, see the documentation for installation instructions. Solving Problems 65 A R E Q U I S N O T R E A D Y - The program that you are trying to open the program that you want to remove. 3 Click Uninstall. 4 See the program documentation for the operating...
... when the message appeared. T H E D E V I C E I R E D . The drive cannot read the disk. N O N - Close all windows and open is not listed, see the documentation for installation instructions. Solving Problems 65 A R E Q U I S N O T R E A D Y - The program that you are trying to open the program that you want to remove. 3 Click Uninstall. 4 See the program documentation for the operating...
Owner's Manual
Page 66
... • Ensure that the keyboard cable is firmly connected to the computer. • Shut down the computer (see "Contacting Dell" on the setup diagram for your computer, and then restart the computer. • Check the cable connector for bent or ...T T H E K E Y B O A R D - See "System Setup" on page 93. 66 Solving Problems O P E R A T I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D - ENSURE THAT THE USB PORTS ARE ENABLED IN THE SYSTEM SETUP P R O G R A M - Keyboard Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information...
... • Ensure that the keyboard cable is firmly connected to the computer. • Shut down the computer (see "Contacting Dell" on the setup diagram for your computer, and then restart the computer. • Check the cable connector for bent or ...T T H E K E Y B O A R D - See "System Setup" on page 93. 66 Solving Problems O P E R A T I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D - ENSURE THAT THE USB PORTS ARE ENABLED IN THE SYSTEM SETUP P R O G R A M - Keyboard Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information...
Owner's Manual
Page 67
... connected to the computer and to the electrical outlet. If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on a floppy disk or CD. Solving Problems 67 TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - A program stops responding END THE PROGRAM - 1 Press simultaneously. 2 Click Applications. 3 ... unable to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. 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 - Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in its documentation or on your keyboard or moving your...
... connected to the computer and to the electrical outlet. If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on a floppy disk or CD. Solving Problems 67 TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - A program stops responding END THE PROGRAM - 1 Press simultaneously. 2 Click Applications. 3 ... unable to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. 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 - Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in its documentation or on your keyboard or moving your...
Owner's Manual
Page 68
... configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your computer. 68 Solving Problems A solid blue screen appears TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - If you are unable to non-Windows Vista operating system environments. 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Programs→ Use...
... configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your computer. 68 Solving Problems A solid blue screen appears TU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F - If you are unable to non-Windows Vista operating system environments. 1 Click Start → Control Panel→ Programs→ Use...
Owner's Manual
Page 69
... HARD DRIVE, FLOPPY DISKS, OR CDS SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE START MENU Solving Problems 69 Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION - • Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly. •...
... HARD DRIVE, FLOPPY DISKS, OR CDS SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE START MENU Solving Problems 69 Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION - • Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly. •...