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Dell M2300 User's Guide - Page 143

Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance, Technical Support and Customer Service

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Getting Help Obtaining Assistance If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem: 1 See "Troubleshooting" on page 75 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing. 2 See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 75 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics. 3 Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 147. 4 Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support (support.dell.com) for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures. See "Online Services" on page 144 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online. 5 If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 147. NOTE: Call Dell Support from a telephone near or at the computer so that the support staff can assist you with any necessary procedures. NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries. When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you do not have an Express Service Code, open the Dell Accessories folder, double-click the Express Service Code icon, and follow the directions. For instructions on using the Dell Support, see "Technical Support and Customer Service" on page 143. NOTE: Some of the following services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Call your local Dell representative for information on availability. Technical Support and Customer Service Dell's support service is available to answer your questions about Dell™ hardware. Our support staff uses computer-based diagnostics to provide fast, accurate answers. To contact Dell's support service, see "Before You Call" on page 146, and then see the contact information for your region or go to support.dell.com. Getting Help 143

Section	Page
User’s Guide	1
Finding Information	11
About Your Computer	15
Front View	15
Left Side View	19
Right Side View	21
Back View	21
Bottom View	25
Transferring Information to a New Computer	27
Microsoft® Windows® XP	27
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media	27
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media	28
Microsoft Windows Vista®	29
Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista	29
Using a Battery	31
Battery Performance	31
Checking the Battery Charge	32
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter	32
Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter	32
Charge Gauge	32
Low-Battery Warning	33
Conserving Battery Power	33
Power Management Modes	34
Standby and Sleep Mode	34
Hibernate Mode	34
Configuring Power Management Settings	35
Accessing Power Options Properties	35
Charging the Battery	35
Replacing the Battery	36
Storing a Battery	36
Battery Errors	37
Using the Keyboard	39
Numeric Keypad	39
Key Combinations	39
System Functions	39
Battery	40
Display Functions	40
Power Management	40
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	40
Touch Pad	41
Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick	42
Changing the Track Stick Cap	42
Using the Display	43
Adjusting Brightness	43
Using the Ambient Light Sensor	43
Switching the Video Image	44
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate	44
Dual Independent Display Mode	45
Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays	46
Setting Up and Using Networks	47
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable	47
Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System	48
Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows Vista® Operating System	48
Wireless Local Area Network	48
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection	48
Checking Your Wireless Network Card	48
Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem	49
Connecting to a WLAN	50
Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network)	52
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	52
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card	52
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network	53
Enabling/Disabling the Dell™ Mobile Broadband Card	53
Managing Your Network Settings Through the Dell QuickSet Location Profiler	54
Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator	54
Microsoft® Windows® Firewall	54
Using Multimedia	57
Playing Media	57
Copying Media	58
How to Copy Media	59
Using Blank Media	59
Helpful Tips	60
Adjusting the Volume	61
Adjusting the Picture	61
Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System	61
Microsoft Windows Vista® Operating System	62
Using Cards	63
Card Types	63
PC Cards	63
ExpressCards	63
Smart Cards	63
Card Blanks	63
Extended Cards	64
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard	64
PC Card	64
ExpressCards	65
Removing a Card or Blank	65
Securing Your Computer	67
Security Cable Lock	67
Smart Card	67
About Smart Cards	68
Installing a Smart Card	68
Passwords	69
About Passwords	69
Using a Primary (or System) Password	70
Using an Administrator Password	70
Using a Hard Drive Password	71
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)	71
Enabling the TPM Feature	72
Security Management Software	72
Activating the Security Management Software	72
Using the Security Management Software	73
Computer Tracking Software	73
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen	73
Troubleshooting	75
Dell™ Technical Update Service	75
Dell Diagnostics	75
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	75
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive	75
Starting the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities Media	76
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu	77
Dell Support Utility	78
Accessing the Dell Support Utility	78
Clicking the Dell Support Icon	78
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon	79
Drive Problems	79
Media drive problems	79
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray	80
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound	80
Hard drive problems	80
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	80
Error Messages	82
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	85
Keyboard Problems	86
External Keyboard problems	86
Unexpected characters	87
Lockups and Software Problems	87
The computer does not start up	87
The computer stops responding	87
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly	87
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system	87
A solid blue screen appears	88
Other software problems	88
Memory Problems	88
Network Problems	89
General	89
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)	89
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network)	89
PC Card Problems	90
Power Problems	91
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer	92
Docking Power Considerations	92
Printer Problems	92
Scanner Problems	93
Sound and Speaker Problems	93
No sound from integrated speakers	93
No sound from external speakers	94
No sound from headphones	94
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	94
Video and Display Problems	95
If the display is blank	95
If the display is difficult to read	95
If only part of the display is readable	96
System Setup Program	97
Overview	97
Viewing the System Setup Screens	97
System Setup Screens	98
Commonly Used Options	98
Changing the Boot Sequence	98
Changing Printer Modes	99
Changing COM Ports	99
Reinstalling Software	101
Drivers	101
What Is a Driver?	101
Identifying Drivers	101
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	102
Using the Hardware Troubleshooter Tool	104
Microsoft Windows XP	104
Microsoft Windows Vista	105
Restoring Your Operating System	105
Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore	105
Using the Operating System Media	106
Adding and Replacing Parts	109
Before You Begin	109
Recommended Tools	109
Turning Off Your Computer	109
Before Working Inside Your Computer	110
Hinge Cover	111
Keyboard	111
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology	113
Coin-Cell Battery	114
Memory	115
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Card	120
Mobile Broadband Card	122
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card	125
Hard Drive	126
Media Bay	128
Removing Media Bay Devices	128
FCM (Flash Cache Module)	128
Dell™ QuickSet	131
Traveling With Your Computer	133
Identifying Your Computer	133
Packing the Computer	133
Travel Tips	134
Traveling by Air	134
Specifications	135
Getting Help	143
Obtaining Assistance	143
Technical Support and Customer Service	143
DellConnect	144
Online Services	144
AutoTech Service	145
Automated Order-Status Service	145
Problems With Your Order	145
Product Information	145
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	145
Before You Call	146
Contacting Dell	147
Appendix	149
Cleaning Your Computer	149
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	149
Touch Pad	149
Mouse	150
Floppy Drive	150
CDs and DVDs	150
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	151
FCC Class B	151
Macrovision Product Notice	152

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Getting Help

143

Getting Help

Obtaining Assistance

If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose

and troubleshoot the problem:

See "Troubleshooting" on page 75 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your

computer is experiencing.

See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 75 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics.

Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 147.

Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support (

support.dell.com

) for help

with installation and troubleshooting procedures. See "Online Services" on page 144 for a more

extensive list of Dell Support online.

If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 147.

NOTE:

Call Dell Support from a telephone near or at the computer so that the support staff can assist you with

any necessary procedures.

NOTE:

Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries.

When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express Service Code to route

the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you do not have an Express Service Code, open

the

Dell Accessories

folder, double-click the

Express Service Code

icon, and follow the directions.

For instructions on using the Dell Support, see "Technical Support and Customer Service" on

page 143.

NOTE:

Some of the following services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S.

Call your local Dell representative for information on availability.

Technical Support and Customer Service

Dell's support service is available to answer your questions about Dell™ hardware. Our support staff

uses computer-based diagnostics to provide fast, accurate answers.

To contact Dell's support service, see "Before You Call" on page146, and then see the contact

information for your region or go to

support.dell.com