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Dell Diagnostics, When to Use the Dell Diagnostics - release

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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 "Solving Problems" on page 45 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance. NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers. Run Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (ResourceCD). Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 1 Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2 When the DELL logo appears, press immediately. NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu. NOTE: If at any time a message appears stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities CD (see "Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD" on page 64). If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop, then shut down your computer and try again. 3 At the Boot Device Menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on the keyboard to highlight Boot to Utility Partition, and then press . NOTE: The Quickboot feature changes the boot sequence for the current boot only. Upon restart, the computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in system setup. 4 At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the mouse, or press and then , to select the test you want to run (see "Dell Diagnostics Main Menu" on page 65). NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen. 5 After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu. 6 Close the Main Menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer. Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD 1 Turn on your computer. 2 Press the eject button on the front of the optical drive to open the drive tray. 3 Place the Drivers and Utilities CD in the center of the drive tray, then press the eject button or gently push on the tray to close it. 64 Advanced Troubleshooting

Section	Page
Finding Information	7
Setting Up and Using Your Computer	11
Front and Back View of the Computer	11
Front View	11
Front I/O Connectors	13
Back View	14
Back I/O Connectors	15
Attaching the Computer Stand	16
Connecting Monitors	18
Connecting a Monitor (Without an Adapter)	18
Connecting a Monitor (With an Adapter)	19
Connecting a Monitor in a Dual Graphics Card Configuration	20
Connecting Two or More Monitors	21
Connecting a TV	22
Changing the Display Settings to Support Two or More Monitors	23
About Your RAID Configuration	23
RAID Level 0 Configuration	24
RAID Level 1 Configuration	24
Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID	25
Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility	26
Using Nvidia MediaShield	27
Playing CDs and DVDs	30
Playing a CD or DVD	30
Adjusting the Volume	31
Adjusting the Picture	31
Copying CDs and DVDs	32
How to Copy a CD or DVD	32
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	32
Helpful Tips	33
Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)	34
Network Setup Wizard	36
Transferring Information to a New Computer	36
Power Management	37
Overview	37
Standby Mode	37
Hibernate Mode	38
Power Options Properties	38
Optimizing Performance	41
Understanding Hyper-Threading	41
Understanding PCI Express Cards	41
Understanding Dual Graphics Technology	42
Understanding CPU Over-Clocking	42
Solving Problems	43
Troubleshooting Tips	43
Battery Problems	43
Drive Problems	43
CD and DVD drive problems	44
Hard drive problems	45
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	45
Error Messages	46
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	47
Keyboard Problems	47
Lockups and Software Problems	48
The computer does not start up	48
The computer stops responding	48
A program stops responding	49
A program crashes repeatedly	49
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system	49
A solid blue screen appears	49
Other software problems	50
Memory Problems	50
Mouse Problems	51
Network Problems	51
Power Problems	52
Printer Problems	53
Scanner Problems	54
Sound and Speaker Problems	54
No sound from speakers	54
No sound from headphones	55
Video and Monitor Problems	56
The screen is blank	56
The screen is difficult to read	56
3-D image quality is poor	57
Advanced Troubleshooting	59
Diagnostic Lights	59
Dell Diagnostics	62
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	62
Drivers	65
What Is a Driver?	65
Identifying Drivers	65
Reinstalling Drivers	65
Using Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore	67
Creating a Restore Point	67
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State	68
Undoing the Last System Restore	68
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	69
Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP	69
Before You Begin	69
Reinstalling Windows XP	69
Removing and Installing Parts	73
Before You Begin	73
Recommended Tools	73
Preparing to Work Inside Your Computer	73
Removing the Computer Cover	74
Inside View of Your Computer	76
System Board Components	77
Memory	79
DDR2 Memory Overview	79
Addressing Memory Configurations	80
Installing Memory	80
Removing Memory	82
Cards	83
Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards	84
Installing PCI and PCI Express Cards	86
Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card from a Dual Configuration	89
Installing a PCI Express Graphics Card in a Dual Configuration	91
Network Adapter and Sound Card Settings	94
Drives	95
About Serial ATA Drives	96
General Drive Installation Guidelines	96
Hard Drive	97
Removing a Hard Drive	97
Installing a Hard Drive	99
Drive Panel	102
Removing the Drive Panel	102
Replacing the Drive Panel	103
Floppy Drive	104
Removing a Floppy Drive	104
Installing a Floppy Drive	106
Media Card Reader	108
Removing a Media Card Reader	108
Installing a Media Card Reader	110
CD/DVD Drive	112
Removing a CD/DVD Drive	112
Installing a CD/DVD Drive	114
Processor Airflow Shroud	117
Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud	117
Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud	118
Processor	118
Removing the Processor	118
Installing the Processor	119
Battery	121
Replacing the Battery	121
Removing the Computer Stand	122
Replacing the Computer Cover	123
Appendix	125
Specifications	125
System Setup	130
Overview	130
Entering System Setup	130
System Setup Options	131
Boot Sequence	136
Clearing Forgotten Passwords	137
Clearing CMOS Settings	139
Cleaning Your Computer	139
Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor	139
Mouse	140
Floppy Drive	140
CDs and DVDs	140
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	140
Definition of \	141
Definition of \	141
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)	141
Class A	142
Class B	142
FCC Identification Information	142
Contacting Dell	143

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Advanced Troubleshooting

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 "Solving Problems" on page 45

and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

NOTE:

The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers.

Run Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the

Drivers and Utilities

CD (

ResourceCD

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE:

Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible

keyboard failure, press and release <F12> in even intervals to open the

Boot Device Menu

NOTE:

If at any time a message appears stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the

Dell Diagnostics from your

Drivers and Utilities

(see "Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers

and Utilities CD

" on page 64

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the

Microsoft

Windows

desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.

At the

Boot Device Menu

, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on the

keyboard to highlight

Boot to Utility Partition

, and then press <Enter>.

NOTE:

The Quickboot feature changes the boot sequence for the current boot only. Upon restart, the

computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in system setup.

At the Dell Diagnostics

Main Menu

, left-click with the mouse, or press <Tab> and then <Enter>, to

select the test you want to run (see "Dell Diagnostics Main Menu" on page 65).

NOTE:

Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the

instructions on the screen.

After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics

Main

Close the

Main Menu

window

to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD

Turn on your computer.

Press the eject button on the front of the optical drive to open the drive tray.

Place the

Drivers and Utilities

CD in the center of the drive tray, then press the eject button or gently

push on the tray to close it.