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Dell Inspiron 1526 Owner's Manual - Page 157

Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance

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Getting Help Obtaining Assistance CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer cover, first disconnect the computer power and modem cables from all electrical outlets. 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 95 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing. 2 See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 95 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics. 3 Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 159. 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 156 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online. 5 If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 160. 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. For instructions on using the Dell Support, see "Technical Support and Customer Service" on page 156. 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. Getting Help 155

Section	Page
Finding Information	13
About Your Computer	19
Front View	19
Left Side View	25
Right Side View	27
Back View	29
Bottom View	30
Setting Up Your Computer	31
Connecting to the Internet	31
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	32
Transferring Information to a New Computer	33
Windows Easy Transfer	33
Setting Up a Printer	33
Printer Cable	34
Connecting a USB Printer	34
Power Protection Devices	35
Surge Protectors	35
Line Conditioners	36
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	36
Using the Display	37
Adjusting Brightness	37
Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display To a Projector	37
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate	38
Using the Keyboard and Touchpad	39
Numeric Keypad	39
Key Combinations	40
System Functions	40
Display Functions	40
Battery	40
Power Management	40
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	41
Dell™ QuickSet Key Combinations	41
Adjusting Keyboard Settings	41
Touch Pad	42
Customizing the Touch Pad	43
Using a Battery	45
Battery Performance	45
Checking the Battery Charge	46
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter	46
Microsoft® Windows® Battery Meter	47
Low-Battery Warning	47
Conserving Battery Power	47
Configuring Power Management Settings	48
Using the Sleep Power State	48
Charging the Battery	49
Replacing the Battery	49
Storing a Battery	50
Using Multimedia	51
Playing Media	51
Playing Media Using Dell Travel Remote (Optional)	53
Copying CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) Media	54
How to Copy a CD, DVD or BD	55
Using Blank CD, DVD, and BD Media	55
Helpful Tips	56
Adjusting the Volume	57
Adjusting the Picture	58
Using Dell MediaDirect™	58
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device	59
S-Video and Standard Audio	61
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	62
Composite Video and Standard Audio	64
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	66
Component Video and Standard Audio	68
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	71
HDMI (Optional)	73
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV	74
Using the Optional Camera	75
Accessing the Camera’s Help File	75
Manually Adjusting the Camera Settings	76
Creating a Picture or a Video	76
Using Cards	77
ExpressCards	77
ExpressCard Blanks	78
Installing an ExpressCard	78
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank	79
Memory Card Reader	79
Memory Card Blanks	79
Installing a Memory Card	80
Removing a Memory Card or Blank	81
Setting Up and Using Networks	83
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable	83
Setting Up a Network	84
Wireless Local Area Network	84
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection	84
Checking Your Wireless Network Card	84
Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem	85
Connecting to a WLAN	87
Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network)	88
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	88
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card	89
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network	90
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card	90
Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator	91
Securing Your Computer	93
Security Cable Lock	93
Passwords	93
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen	94
Troubleshooting	97
Dell Technical Update Service	97
Dell Diagnostics	97
Dell Support Utility	101
Dell Support 3	102
DellConnect	103
Network Assistant	103
PC TuneUp	103
PC CheckUp	104
Drive Problems	104
Optical drive problems	105
Hard drive problems	106
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	106
Error Messages	108
ExpressCard Problems	113
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	113
Keyboard Problems	114
External Keyboard problems	114
Unexpected characters	115
Lockups and Software Problems	115
The computer does not start	115
The computer stops responding	115
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly	116
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system	116
A solid blue screen appears	116
Dell MediaDirect problems	116
Other software problems	117
Memory Problems	118
Network Problems	118
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN])	119
Power Problems	120
Printer Problems	121
Scanner Problems	122
Sound and Speaker Problems	122
No sound from integrated speakers	122
No sound from external speakers	123
No sound from headphones	123
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	123
Video and Display Problems	124
If the display is blank	124
If the display is difficult to read	125
If only part of the display is readable	126
Drivers	126
What Is a Driver?	126
Identifying Drivers	127
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	127
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Windows Vista® Operating System	129
Restoring Your Operating System	130
Using Windows Vista System Restore	130
Adding and Replacing Parts	135
Before You Begin	135
Recommended Tools	135
Turning Off Your Computer	135
Before Working Inside Your Computer	136
Hard Drive	137
Removing the Hard Drive	138
Replacing the Hard Drive	139
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell	139
Optical Drive	140
Removing the Optical Drive	140
Replacing the Optical Drive	140
Hinge Cover	141
Removing the Hinge Cover	141
Replacing the Hinge Cover	142
Keyboard	142
Removing the Keyboard	143
Replacing the Keyboard	144
Memory	144
Removing Memory Module	144
Replacing Memory Module	146
Subscriber Identity Module (Optional)	148
Wireless Mini-Cards	149
Removing Mini-Card	149
Replacing Mini-Card	151
Flash Cache Module	151
Removing the FCM	151
Replacing the FCM	152
Broadcom® Media PC Card	153
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology	153
Removing the Card	153
Replacing the Card	154
Traveling With Your Computer	155
Identifying Your Computer	155
Packing the Computer	155
Travel Tips	156
Traveling by Air	156
Getting Help	157
Obtaining Assistance	157
Technical Support and Customer Service	158
DellConnect	158
Online Services	158
AutoTech Service	159
Automated Order-Status Service	159
Problems With Your Order	159
Product Information	159
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	160
Before You Call	160
Contacting Dell	162
Specifications	163
Appendix	173
Using the System Setup Program	173
Viewing the System Setup Screen	174
System Setup Screen	174
Commonly Used Options	174
Cleaning Your Computer	176
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	176
Touch Pad	177
Mouse	177
Media	177
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	178
Definition of \	179
Definition of \	179
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	179
FCC Class B	179
Macrovision Product Notice	180
Glossary	181