Dell Dimension 900 Reference Guide - Page 12

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Chapter 3

Basic Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Backing Up Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Installing Additional Hardware and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

DellWare Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Checking the Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

External Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Start-Up Routine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Environmental Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Network Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Diskette Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Optical Drives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Hard-Disk Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Running the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Starting the Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Dell Diagnostics Main Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Using the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Device Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Chapter 4

Software Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Using the Power Management Features in Windows 98, Windows Me, and

Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Reinstalling Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Your System

’

s Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD to Reinstall Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Temporarily Disabling the Virus-Scanning Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Windows 98 and Windows Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Windows NT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Reinstalling Windows 98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Reinstalling Windows Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Reinstalling Windows 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Section	Page
Safety Instructions	3
When Using Your Computer System	3
Ergonomic Computing Habits	4
When Working Inside Your Computer	5
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge	6
Preface	7
About This Guide	7
Warranty and Return Policy Information	7
Other Documents You May Need	8
Notational Conventions	8
Notes, Notices, and Cautions	8
Typographical Conventions	9
Contents	11
Introduction	17
Hardware Features	17
Software Features	18
Available Upgrades	19
Padlock Ring	19
Installing Upgrades on the System Board	21
Safety First—For You and Your Computer	21
Installation Guidelines	22
Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover	22
Inside Your Computer	24
System Board	26
Removing and Replacing the Riser-Board Bracket	30
PCI Expansion Card Upgrades	32
Installing Expansion Cards	33
Removing Expansion Cards	36
Adding Memory	36
Installing a DIMM	37
Removing a DIMM	38
Replacing the System Battery	39
Basic Troubleshooting	43
Backing Up Data Files	43
Installing Additional Hardware and Software	43
Checking the Basics	44
External Connections	44
Power	45
Start-Up Routine	45
Environmental Factors	46
Monitor	46
Speakers	48
Modem	48
Network Cards	49
Diskette Drives	50
Optical Drives	50
Hard-Disk Drives	51
Running the Dell Diagnostics	51
Starting the Dell Diagnostics	52
Dell Diagnostics Main Screen	54
Using the Dell Diagnostics	55
Software Solutions	57
Using the Power Management Features inWindows 98, Windows Me, and Windows2000	57
Reinstalling Drivers	58
Temporarily Disabling the Virus-Scanning Program	60
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	60
Reinstalling Windows 98	62
Reinstalling Windows Me	64
Reinstalling Windows 2000	65
Checking Inside Your Computer	67
Expansion Cards	67
System Memory	71
If Your Computer Gets Wet	72
If Your Computer Is Damaged	73
Getting Help	75
Technical Assistance	75
Help Tools	76
Problems With Your Order	77
Product Information	77
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	78
Before You Call	78
Dell Contact Numbers	80
System Specifications	81
System Setup Program	87
Entering the System Setup Program	87
Using the System Setup Program	87
System Setup Screens and Options	89
Main Screen	90
System Information Screen	91
Product Information Screen	92
Disk Drives Screen	93
Onboard Peripherals Screen	95
Boot Options Screen	97
Date and Time Screen	99
System Security Screen	100
Advanced Options Screen	101
Disabling a Forgotten Password	104
Clearing NVRAM	105
Beep Codes and System Messages	107
POST Beep Codes	107
System Messages	108
Regulatory Notices	113
VCCI Notice (Japan Only)	114
Battery Disposal	115

Dell Dimension 900 Reference Guide - Page 12

Basic Troubleshooting .. 3-1, Software Solutions.4-1 - driver

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