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Dell Inspiron 1721 View - Page 169

Getting Help, Obtaining Assistance

UPC - 802700888373

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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 97 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing. 2 See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 97 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics. 3 Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 174. 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 170 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online. 5 If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 175. 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. Getting Help 169

Section	Page
Contents	3
Finding Information	13
About Your Computer	19
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration	19
Front View	20
Left Side View	25
Right Side View	26
Back View	29
Bottom View	31
Setting Up Your Computer	33
Connecting to the Internet	33
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	34
Transferring Information to a New Computer	35
Windows Easy Transfer	35
Setting Up a Printer	35
Printer Cable	36
Connecting a USB Printer	36
Power Protection Devices	37
Surge Protectors	37
Line Conditioners	38
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	38
Using the Display	39
Adjusting Brightness	39
Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display To a Projector	39
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate	39
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad	41
Numeric Keypad	41
Key Combinations	41
System Functions	41
Display Functions	41
Battery	41
Power Management	42
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	42
Dell™ QuickSet Key Combinations	42
Adjusting Keyboard Settings	42
Touch Pad	43
Customizing the Touch Pad	44
Using a Battery	45
Battery Performance	45
Checking the Battery Charge	46
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter	46
Microsoft® Windows® Battery Meter	47
Charge Gauge	47
Low-Battery Warning	48
Conserving Battery Power	48
Configuring Power Management Settings	49
Using the Sleep Power State	49
Charging the Battery	50
Replacing the Battery	50
Storing a Battery	51
Using Multimedia	53
Playing Media	53
Playing Media Using Dell Travel Remote	55
Copying CDs and DVDs	56
How to Copy a CD or DVD	56
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	57
Helpful Tips	58
Adjusting the Volume	59
Adjusting the Picture	59
Using Dell MediaDirect™	59
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device	60
S-Video and Standard Audio	62
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	64
Composite Video and Standard Audio	66
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	68
Component Video and Standard Audio	70
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	72
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV	75
Using ExpressCards	77
ExpressCard Blanks	77
Installing an ExpressCard	78
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank	79
Using the Memory Card Reader	81
Memory Card Blanks	81
Installing a Memory Card	81
Removing a Memory Card or Blank	82
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	85
Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem	86
Connecting to a WLAN	87
Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network)	89
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	89
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card	90
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network	90
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card	91
Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator	92
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 Center	101
Dell Support 3	102
DellConnect	103
Network Assistant	104
PC TuneUp	104
PC CheckUp	104
Drive Problems	105
Optical drive problems	105
Hard drive problems	106
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	107
Error Messages	108
ExpressCard Problems	113
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	114
Keyboard Problems	114
External Keyboard problems	114
Unexpected characters	115
Lockups and Software Problems	116
The computer does not start	116
The computer stops responding	116
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	117
Dell MediaDirect problems	117
Other software problems	118
Memory Problems	119
Network Problems	119
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN])	120
Power Problems	121
Printer Problems	122
Scanner Problems	123
Sound and Speaker Problems	123
No sound from integrated speakers	123
No sound from external speakers	124
No sound from headphones	124
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	124
Video and Display Problems	125
If the display is blank	125
If the display is difficult to read	126
If only part of the display is readable	127
Drivers	127
What is a Driver?	127
Identifying Drivers	128
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	128
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Windows Vista™ Operating System	130
Restoring Your Operating System	131
Using Windows Vista System Restore	132
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	138
Removing the Hard Drive	138
Replacing the Hard Drive	140
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell	141
Optical Drive	141
Removing the Optical Drive	141
Replacing the Optical Drive	142
Hinge Cover	142
Removing the Hinge Cover	143
Replacing the Hinge Cover	143
Keyboard	144
Removing the Keyboard	144
Replacing the Keyboard	145
Memory	146
Removing the DIMM A Memory Module	147
Replacing the DIMM A Memory Module	148
Removing the DIMM B Memory Module	149
Replacing the DIMM B Memory Module	151
Subscriber Identity Module	153
Wireless Mini Cards	154
Removing a WLAN Card	154
Replacing a WLAN Card	156
Removing a Mobile Broadband or WWAN Card	157
Replacing a WWAN Card	160
Removing a WPAN Card	161
Replacing a WPAN Card	162
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology	162
Removing the Card	162
Replacing the Card	163
Coin-Cell Battery	163
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery	164
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery	164
Dell™ QuickSet Features	165
Traveling With Your Computer	167
Identifying Your Computer	167
Packing the Computer	167
Travel Tips	168
Traveling by Air	168
Getting Help	169
Obtaining Assistance	169
Technical Support and Customer Service	170
DellConnect	170
Online Services	170
AutoTech Service	171
Automated Order-Status Service	172
Problems With Your Order	172
Product Information	172
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	172
Before You Call	173
Contacting Dell	175
Specifications	177
Appendix	185
Using the System Setup Program	185
Viewing the System Setup Screen	186
System Setup Screen	186
Commonly Used Options	186
About Your RAID Configuration	188
RAID Level 0 Configuration	188
RAID Level 1 Configuration	188
Cleaning Your Computer	188
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	188
Touch Pad	189
Mouse	190
Media	190
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	191
Definition of \	192
Definition of \	192
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	192
FCC Class B	192
Macrovision Product Notice	193
Glossary	195